If you have children, then child passenger safety is a top priority. Infant driving safety has taken tremendous leaps in the past three decades. Child car seats are sturdier today and there are varieties of models that can fit your particular needs. Following a few tips will help reduce injury.
Buy the Proper Child Seat
Be sure you check all the child seat ratings you can find, especially those from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). They are about as unbiased as you will find. Another good source of information is ConsumerReports.com. Buy the best rear-facing infant child seat you can find for your newborn. The seat can be a shell design or it can be a convertible type as long as it locks in so your infant faces the rear. There are many types of infant seats available on the market today but there are a few basic requirements that must always be adhered to.
- Five point harness. Studies confirm that the five point harness is the safest for a child's car seat as it reduces the chance of ejection and offers the best fit
- Weight limitations. All seats have certain weight limits for a child, so be sure to get the appropriate seat for your child's weight
- Best fit. Most infant car seats now come with "wings" for extra protection if the child is asleep. In case of an accident, it is best for there to be no extra room which could cause shifting in the and more harm. Find the best fit for your child. Don't just purchase the most expensive seat
- Twist free harness. Find a seat that has a "twist free" harness, this will offer more protection
- Vehicle requirements. Try to choose a seat that is made specifically for your vehicle
Use the Seat Until the Infant Is One-Year-Old
Use the car seat until your infant is at least a year old or has reached 20 pounds. If your baby hits the 20-pound mark before his or her first birthday, it's time for a new car seat that will take your baby to the 30-pound mark. At that point, you will have to consider the best car seat available for your rapidly growing toddler.
Face Older Babies Forward
At this point, it is time to turn your baby around so he or she faces forward in the car. Make sure that the seat meets the requirements for a forward-facing baby seat and that it is weight and size-appropriate for your baby.
Never Place a Child Seat in the Front Passenger Seat
A child should always ride in the back seat of a car. This should be the case until the child reaches the age of 12 or 85 pounds. If an accident were to occur, the impact of a passenger side airbag can be enough to cause some lasting injury to your child, and possible death. Having children placed securely in an approved, quality car seat should be your first and foremost consideration in order to improve the child's car safety.
Use Ideal Harness Location
The harness is one of the most important aspects to offering proper support for your child. The harness straps should never be above the baby's shoulders, always at or below the shoulder. The chest clip must be at the armpit level and the harness should be tight enough so that you cannot put more than one finger under the strap near the child's shoulder. Be sure to make use of child safety locks. Most vehicles are equipped with child safety locks that prevent children from inadvertently opening the door while the vehicle is in motion. This safety tool can be activated and deactivated by the driver.
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