So you are buying a car seat but placing it safely and comfortably for your baby makes you feel uncertain?
Well, definitely, you’ve got to take it seriously, as car seat safety is never a child’s fancy game. It is one of your major responsibilities, and installing it in the right place must be a top priority. Placing it in the wrong location will put your kid in danger. You have to buckle him or her safe all the time.ย
One of your major tasks is finding out common mistakes to avoid committing them yourself. Did you know that up to 90% of parents committed mistakes in installing car seats? It is observed that within a 5-mile radius away from home, car crashes occur. So, make sure that even bringing your baby to the street is safe.
Securing the baby car seat in its proper location is seriously religious homework. Use the car seat guide to ensure the safest driving with your baby.
What Must You Do?
To make sure you are doing the right things, make a checklist.
For example, check for the instruction and label that reveals the manufacture date and model number. This is to thoroughly see if it has expired or has more than six years already. And, of course, to find out about any crash issues.
Be sure to follow the manual’s written instructions to ensure that the car seat will be installed securely. If you are using an infant-only seat or convertible seat in the rear-facing position, follow these tips:
- Use the harness slots and place their straps over your child’s shoulders. Then, buckle harness straps and chest clips that feel the snug fit enough. Use the A-5 point harness for the best possible protection and monitor it regularly. Your child might have outgrown it.
- Make sure that the chest clips are at the level of the armpits.
- You may use a tiny rolled cloth or blanket to support the baby’s head.
- Know that if you use a rear-facing car seat, harness slots should be below the kid’s shoulders or right through the slots of the car.
For the forward-facing car seat, straps must be above the shoulders.
Reclining Position
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to keep your baby from flopping forward. Make sure also that he or she is in the semi-reclined position to allow airways in their default function.
Why Choose The Backseat?
For the safest location, install the car seat in the back seat. It keeps him or her away from the airbags that put the baby’s head at risk. The bag inflates, which can hit the rear-facing car seat where the baby’s head is. In fact, this stuff can also potentially injure even riding on a forward-facing car seat.
The ideal location is to install it securely at the back seat centre to reduce the risks when a car accident occurs. But if your car has one row of seats, ensure that a key can turn the airbag off.
If you have further questions in mind, participating in the local car seat inspection is highly recommended. You may also check with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for easy assistance in finding a car seat inspection station.
Learn that nothing makes more sense than the safety of your child. It’s been recorded that many children have died due to crashes. So, ensuring their safety is a must.
The proper use of car safety seats helps, but the market is increasing with a number of varying seats. This may confuse you, and deciding on the right actions to take can become overwhelming.
If it is your firsthand to handle parenting roles, seek help from a certified passenger safety technician (CPST or CPS technician),
How to Install
Installing the car seat takes either of these two ways; use a seat belt or use lower anchors and tethers.
Place the seat belt on the belt path. Look for the arrow or directions to know the right path to use. However, a top tether is highly recommended for all forward-facing car seats.
Once installed, do an inch test. The most recommended movement, front to back or side to side, is not more than 1 inch when pulled from the seat belt path. This limit is applied to forward-facing car seats and rear-facing car seats.
Be mindful that using the LATCH is for kids whose weight is less than a certain weight. Beyond this, use a seat belt and top tether.
Conclusion
The centre at the back seat is the right place for children below 13 years old. However, be mindful that not all cars in the market allow car seats or offer seat belts. Thus, careful steps must be followed thoroughly.
