With
all the choices of car seats for your child these days, walking
down the aisle trying to decide can be a daunting experience.
There are seats that face forward, face backward, separate from
their base to become infant carriers, convertible seats, booster
seats for toddlers, and on and on. Remember when the only decision
regarding baby products related to color?
All 50 states require that children ride in appropriate child
seats, yet car crashes continue to be the most common cause of
serious injury or death in childhood. In many cases, the car seat,
if used at all, was not installed properly, or the child was not
properly placed and restrained in a seat appropriate for their
weight and age.
When using a car seat, it is important to remember the following
basic guidelines and always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
If the instructions have been lost, call the manufacturer and
request a copy.
Age And Weight Of The Baby
All
infants under the age of one year AND weighing less than 20
pounds must ride facing the rear of the car.
Children over the age of one year AND weighing more than 20
pounds may ride facing the front of the car.
Children must be restrained in an approved car seat until they
weigh more than 40 pounds.
Car Seat Location
A car seat, which fits the child, provides maximum safety to the child.
There are three basic types:
Rear facing infant seats are designed for babies from birth until
at least 20 pounds and one year of age
Convertible safety seats convert from rear facing to forward facing
for toddlers between one and four years of age, who weigh between
20 and 40 pounds
Older kids who have clearly out grown their convertible seat but
are not quite ready for the vehicle's belt system use booster
seats as a transition to safety belts.
Car
Seat Location
The safest place for children under 12 years of age is always
the back seat.br>
NEVER place an infant in a rear-facing car seat in the front
seat of a car with a passenger-side air bag. Even in a low speed
crash, if the air bag inflates, it can cause serious injury or
death.
If you absolutely cannot avoid placing a child in the front
seat of a car that has a passenger-side airbag, move the seat
as far back (away) from the airbag as possible, and be certain
the child does not move forward. The best choice would be a child
in a front-facing car seat, as the seat will keep the child from
moving about.
Proper Placement Of The Child In The Car
Seat
Be certain that the harness is threaded through the correct slots
for your child's size.
The harness straps must be placed over the child's shoulders.
If there is a plastic clip on the harness, it must be placed at
the level of the child's armpits to keep the straps together and
the harness snug.
The child should be wearing clothing that will allow the straps
to go between the child's legs. Very bulky clothing should be avoided.
Do not swaddle a newborn in a blanket before placing in the car
seat, as the straps will not fit over the shoulders or between the
legs. Rather, properly buckle the child into the seat and then tuck
a blanket around them.
Make certain that the seat is reclined enough to prevent the newborn's head from falling forward. The manufacturer's instructions should
explain how to do this for your particular car seat.
If a newborn slumps against the sides of the seat, use towels or
blankets to pad the area around the baby. You can also purchase
an insert that will help support the baby's head.
Additional Points to Keep in Mind
Never hold a baby in your lap while riding in a car. In a sudden
stop, the baby will fly forward, as you will be unable to keep your
arms around it.
Never place a seat belt around yourself and a child. In a sudden
stop, your weight will press the child against the seat belt with
enough force to cause major internal injuries.
Children over 40 pounds should ride in a booster seat until they
are large enough that the seat belt and shoulder harness of the
car fits them properly. Seat belts and shoulder harnesses are made
for adults, and can cause severe injury if not placed properly around
a child. The lap belt should be low and snug over a child's hips,
and the shoulder harness should fit across the shoulder, not the
neck or face.
Never tuck the shoulder harness under the child's arm or secure
behind the child's back.
A car seat that has been in a crash should be replaced whether or
not it appears to be damaged. Such damage will not always be visible.
Keeping Them Satisfied
Keeping the kids satisfied in the car is always a tough job. Try
keeping them involved with games, audiocassettes with stories
and music, reading books, painting books and of course their favorite
toys and snacks.
By keeping them satisfied, properly securing your child's car seat
to the car and the child within the proper seat for their age and
weight, you will be doing all you can to keep them safe while on
the road.
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