Among the many new and sometimes confusing tools that come with being a parent are car seats. You know your child needs one, and you might have even been given one at a baby shower, but how do you make sure it actually keeps your child safe?
The key is how you use the car seat. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 46% of car and booster seats are used incorrectly. Some of this is a result of choosing the wrong seat or because the seat is installed incorrectly. Here are some top tips for choosing the right seat and finding resources to help you install it.
Tops Tips: Choosing a Safe Seat
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Base your decision on both your child’s age and the height and weight limits recommended by your car seat’s manufacturer
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The type of vehicle you have can also impact the safest choice of seat or the placement of the seat; make sure to check that your seat is compatible with your vehicle.
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Get your car seat inspected. Take advantage of free car seat check-up events or car seat inspection stations to ensure maximum safety!
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Register your car seat with the manufacturer to get alerts of any recalls or safety concerns.
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Keep in mind that the safest car seat for your child will change as they grow. Here are recommended car seats based on your child’s age and size:
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Top Tips: Using Your Car Seat Safely
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The pinch test: This lets you know if the car seat harness is tight enough to prevent ejection during a crash. Try to “pinch” the strap of the harness between your thumb and forefinger. If you can grab any of the material the harness isn’t tight enough.
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Where should the chest clip be? The chest clip should rest between the underarms of your child. When you line the clip with the armpits, you are ensuring the proper placement of the straps over your child’s shoulders.
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Remove all sweaters and coats before putting children into their seats: It might be a bit of a pain, but it is an important safety step. The added layers make it harder to get the chest clip in the proper place and it makes it hard to tighten the seat harness.
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Car seats involved in crashes and expiration dates: Sometimes car and booster seats can be damaged in a crash. If you are involved in a minor crash, you may not have to replace the seat. Take it to an inspection station and have it looked at to be sure. They can also help properly install or re-install your seat. It is important to know that car seats also have expiration dates. So, if you are using baby equipment from other children, be sure to check the date on the car seat (another reason to make sure you have properly registered the seat).
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State Laws: Always check your state laws regarding car seats, booster seats, height and weight requirements and laws regarding where children are mandated to sit in your vehicle.
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