Car Seat Safety

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I have noticed that a lot of moms make mistakes when strapping their babies into their car seats. Since car seat safety can literally mean life or death for your baby, it's very important to strap your baby in properly!

1. Tighten the straps properly against your baby
You may find that you need to loosen the straps to get the baby out comfortably, but make SURE you pull the straps tight against your baby once you have him in the car seat again. The straps should be snug against the baby and you should be able to get only one finger between the strap and the baby's shoulders.

I have seen WAY too many parents with car seat straps that are extremely loose, enough to really slide around (I saw this TWICE just TODAY). If your baby's straps are too loose, a couple different things could happen. If they're really loose and the chest clip either isn't attached or is too low, the baby could actually FLY OUT OF THE SEAT! If the chest clip is in place, the baby could fly against the straps and possibly get whiplash. Loose straps DO NOT PROTECT your baby!

2. Install the car seat properly in the car
The car seat should be very tightly installed in a backseat, center position. The carseat must at least be in the backseat, or, if there is no other choice, in the front seat with the air bags turned OFF. If the air bags can't be turned off, the carseat must be in the back. The car seat should be able to move only 1" side to side (slightly further at the top of the seat is okay, but the base must not move more than that). The seatbelt should lock, or you can use the vehicle's LATCH system. If in doubt, take your seat to your local fire department and ask a certified child safety expert to install it properly and to teach you how for the future.

Note the car seat's position too. It should be angled properly, not leaning too far forward or backward. Climb into the seat and put all your weight on it when you're tightening it, and make sure the seat belt is locked. Using a locking clip if you need to, one should be provided with your car seat if it's needed.

3. Never add anything to your car seat under the straps except made by the manufacturer
If you purchase a different cover FROM THE MANUFACTURER that is made for your seat, this is fine. But carseat covers, car seat "jackets," strap protectors, etc. are NOT safe. They can invalidate your warranty and place your child at risk. Instead, you can place a blanket over the child once they're strapped in. Toys attached to the seat, which could come off in an accident and injure your child, are also not safe.

4. Do not put puffy coats on your children
This will prevent you from strapping in your children tightly enough to be safe. Instead, use light layers and a blanket over the straps. You can also bring the coat with you and put it on when you arrive where you're going.

5. Keep children rear facing as long as possible
All children should remain rear facing at an absolute MINIMUM until age 1 year AND 20 lbs. This is due to their development, not size. Better is 2 years or the weight limit of a convertible seat (and this is the new AAP recommendation). BEST is the limit of the seat, which is usually 35 - 40 lbs. Your child may be 3 - 4 years old before reaching this limit. Convertible seats are good because most babies are too tall or too heavy for infant seats before they reach 1 year, while convertible seats typically handle kids up to 35 lbs. and 36" or so rear-facing, and up to 40 - 65 lbs. and 48" forward facing. Some even handle kids up to 100 lbs.!

6. Choose the right car seat for your child's size.
Note that most infant seats can hold babies only up to 20 lbs. or 29". Some car seats hold only up to 26" and some as long as 32". Note what your car seat's limits are. If you choose to use an infant seat, make SURE you move your child to another (rear facing!!) seat if he outgrows it before age 1. It is unsafe and inappropriate to keep your child in a seat that is too small "just a little longer" because you want to buy only a toddler seat (not a good idea since they don't rear-face anyway) or because you don't have the money to buy another. You MUST have a proper seat. There is the Cosco Scenera for only about $50 that is a convertible seat. There are many more expensive and better seats but that one is fine if your budget is pressed.

7. Keep your child in a 5-point harness as long as possible -- up to age 8 or 65 lbs.
Keep your child in a 5-point harness as long as your seat allows. It doesn't matter if your child's friends are in just boosters at age 3 (not even legal in some states) or not in a car seat at all at age 5 (really just stupid, as adult belts do not fit young children or even really short adults properly). It doesn't matter if people think you are too careful or they make fun of your child. It is life or death if you are in an accident and children are safest in a 5-point harness. (So is everyone, for that matter.) Most children are required to at least be in a booster until they are age 8 and 80 lbs.

8. Secure the chest clip at the arm pit level (Thanks Sam!)
Many parent secure the chest clip too low, or not at all. This is a crucial part of keeping your baby safe! It could hurt your baby by digging into the stomach or ribs if it is too low, and it won't protect your baby at all if it's not clipped. Always remember to secure the chest clip and push it up to its proper position.

Car seat safety is no laughing matter. It is not something you can be lax about, or something that "doesn't really matter." Know how to work your car seat, have one that fits your car properly and fits your baby, and use it correctly. It could save your baby's life.

Resources:
Car Seat Safety
National Highway Traffic Safety
Car Seat Reviews

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