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Safety First: The Top Car Seat Safety Tips You Need to Know

Car seats help keep your kids safe. But, you need to make sure you handle them right. Read on to learn the top car seat safety tips.

· Automotive
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Most crash deaths occurring among children happen when they are riding as passengers in cars, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. They also say that children aged 3 to 8 who ride in the rear seat are significantly less likely to be killed - up to one-half to three-quarters less!

 

A National Highway Safety Association study reported that child safety seats were effective in preventing fatal injuries for 71% of infants and 54% of toddlers.

 

These statistics alone are enough to argue for the use of car seats and for following car seat safety instructions. Make using a car seat a habit you follow every time you take a child for a ride, even if it is a very short trip.

 

Keep reading to learn the top car seat safety tips you need to know.

 

Car Seat Safety Tips

By following these tips, you will greatly reduce the likelihood of your child suffering an injury (or worse) during an accident.

 

Where and How to Place a Car Seat

If you purchased your car seat new, follow the manufacturer's instructions for placing your child into the car seat. If you bought your car seat used and it did not come with the manufacturer's instructions, search the internet to find them or call the manufacturer to get a replacement.

 

The manufacturer's instructions will include explanations on how to buckle your child into the seat and adjust the straps so your child is securely held into the seat. They will also tell you how to connect the seatbelt to the car seat so it fits securely against the car's seat.

 

General safety rules to follow no matter what type of car safety seat you use:

  • If your child is under two years old, place car seats in the rear passenger seat with your child facing towards the rear of the car to help support their heads, neck, and spine.
  • If there is no backseat in the vehicle, place the car seat in the front seat with the car seat facing backward
  • Remove your child's jackets or other bulky clothing before placing them in their car seat to ensure you can secure them properly
  • Adjust chest clip to your child's armpit to keep them from being able to get their arms out
  • After locking your child into the seat, pull out on the harness to confirm the seat is properly buckled
  • If your front-facing car seat has a strap for tethering it to your car, make sure it is tethered to your car's tethering anchor.

 

If you are using a Maxi-Cosi car seat, you will find this great article helpful in making sure you know which base fits your car seat.

 

Use the Proper Size Car Seat

Make sure you are using the car seat that is appropriate for your child's age, height and weight.

 

Rear-Facing/Infant Car Seats

These seats are rear-facing and are to be used until your child is two year's old. They are designed to hold babies that weigh between 5 and 40 pounds.

 

Many parents get impatient and want to move their child to a toddler/front-facing seat too early. Don't put convenience ahead of your child's safety.

 

Front-Facing/Toddler Car Seats

Once your child outgrows the infant car seat, move them into a front-facing car seat.

The height and weight maximums for these seats vary. Check the label on the side of your car seat for these numbers.

 

Booster Seats

Booster seats are used after your child is too large for the front-facing car seat.

Booster seats should be used until your child is 4 feet 9 inches tall or weighs at least 80 pounds.

 

Laws in Different States May Vary

The law in your state may dictate that you use a particular type of seat until a different age/weight than noted above. If so, please follow your state's laws to keep from being cited.

 

Start Following These Tips Today to Keep Your Child Safe

 

Accidents are just that, accidents. No one knows in advance when they will happen.

So whether you're a stay-at-home parent, working full time, or working on a side hustle, don't let your busy schedule keep you from following the above car seat safety tips.

Your child is counting on you.

Most crash deaths occurring among children happen when they are riding as passengers in cars, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. They also say that children aged 3 to 8 who ride in the rear seat are significantly less likely to be killed - up to one-half to three-quarters less!

A National Highway Safety Association study reported that child safety seats were effective in preventing fatal injuries for 71% of infants and 54% of toddlers.

These statistics alone are enough to argue for the use of car seats and for following car seat safety instructions. Make using a car seat a habit you follow every time you take a child for a ride, even if it is a very short trip.

Keep reading to learn the top car seat safety tips you need to know.

Car Seat Safety Tips

By following these tips, you will greatly reduce the likelihood of your child suffering an injury (or worse) during an accident.

Where and How to Place a Car Seat

If you purchased your car seat new, follow the manufacturer's instructions for placing your child into the car seat. If you bought your car seat used and it did not come with the manufacturer's instructions, search the internet to find them or call the manufacturer to get a replacement.

The manufacturer's instructions will include explanations on how to buckle your child into the seat and adjust the straps so your child is securely held into the seat. They will also tell you how to connect the seatbelt to the car seat so it fits securely against the car's seat.

General safety rules to follow no matter what type of car safety seat you use:

  • If your child is under two years old, place car seats in the rear passenger seat with your child facing towards the rear of the car to help support their heads, neck, and spine.
  • If there is no backseat in the vehicle, place the car seat in the front seat with the car seat facing backward
  • Remove your child's jackets or other bulky clothing before placing them in their car seat to ensure you can secure them properly
  • Adjust chest clip to your child's armpit to keep them from being able to get their arms out
  • After locking your child into the seat, pull out on the harness to confirm the seat is properly buckled
  • If your front-facing car seat has a strap for tethering it to your car, make sure it is tethered to your car's tethering anchor.

If you are using a Maxi-Cosi car seat, you will find this great article helpful in making sure you know which base fits your car seat.

Use the Proper Size Car Seat

Make sure you are using the car seat that is appropriate for your child's age, height and weight.

Rear-Facing/Infant Car Seats

These seats are rear-facing and are to be used until your child is two year's old. They are designed to hold babies that weigh between 5 and 40 pounds.

Many parents get impatient and want to move their child to a toddler/front-facing seat too early. Don't put convenience ahead of your child's safety.

Front-Facing/Toddler Car Seats

Once your child outgrows the infant car seat, move them into a front-facing car seat.

The height and weight maximums for these seats vary. Check the label on the side of your car seat for these numbers.

Booster Seats

Booster seats are used after your child is too large for the front-facing car seat.

Booster seats should be used until your child is 4 feet 9 inches tall or weighs at least 80 pounds.

Laws in Different States May Vary

The law in your state may dictate that you use a particular type of seat until a different age/weight than noted above. If so, please follow your state's laws to keep from being cited.

Start Following These Tips Today to Keep Your Child Safe

Accidents are just that, accidents. No one knows in advance when they will happen.

So whether you're a stay-at-home parent, working full time, or working on a side hustle, don't let your busy schedule keep you from following the above car seat safety tips.

Your child is counting on you.