Age Groups of Childrens Safety in Car Seats
July 29, 2008
One of the greatest investments that parent make is to pick the right car seat for their baby. Yet, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration published a study in 2005 which stated that the usage of child safety seats was incorrect 79.5% of the time. Misusing the safety restraints was the big area where people messed up, according to the study. Many people, in the study, allowed the harness straps and safety belt attachments to be too loose. Among the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s study, these mistakes - the most frequent ones - are also the most potentially ‘critical,’ because they pose a great danger to the child.
Correct positioning is essential, as is making sure you have the right safety seat for the baby’s age and weight. Many parents put their child in rear-facing car seats, but this should only be done if the child is less than one year old and smaller than twenty pounds. Infant seats are good for parents who want to make sure their newborn is snug and secure, yet also want the freedom to carry the seat many places with ease. As with all child safety restraints, infant car seats should always be placed in the back seat and only in the rear-facing position.
Instead of an infant-only seat, many parents choose convertible seats which they can use as the child grows. As can be expected, the convertible style of car seat is larger, to accommodate growth, and not as portable. Go ahead and turn the convertible seat around to a rear-facing position if your child meets the infant-only standards of weight and age. The one year and twenty pound children then are allowed to upgrade to a forward facing convertible seat until they reach 40 pounds. Make sure you are clear on how to actually use the seat that you choose.
Every parent should know how to use whichever seat they pick. You have two important guides to help you do this: your vehicle owner guide book and your safety seat manufacturer’s guide. Not only does the child’s car seat have to be buckled correctly, but the baby has to be buckled into the seat correctly as well. The slot position and a firm fit are important for the harness straps in particular. If strapping the harness into a slot position in a convertible, the appropriate slots are above or at the shoulder; if using an infant car seat, the appropriate place is below. Harness clips should hold the untwisted straps around armpit level - for exact placement double check the guide that came with the seat.
Also consult your owner’s guide as you strap in the seat belt, making sure it goes through the right path, and tilt the seat back by 45 degrees. A rolled towel under the base helps secure the seat into position. Tighten the seat belt, as needed, to ensure the restraint is secured to your vehicle. Every car that has a LATCH system has special requirements, and those mean that the parent should read their owner guides, to both their car and their car seat, to make sure their seat is installed correctly. Many people purchase used seats; they should check the age and condition of their seat. Don’t use a seat that is more than five years old or does not come with the manufacturer’s instructions. Also make sure it comes complete with all parts and comes accident-free.
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