Infant Car Seat Saftey


by Brooke Schuman - Date: 2007-01-08 - Word Count: 455 Share This!

A few facts about car accidents:

-Did you know that car accidents kill and injure more children than all major childhood illnesses combined?

-Most accidents occur within a 25 mile radius of your home.

-a crash at 30 miles an hour can create as much force as falling from a third story window.

Now if that doesn't get your attention I don't know what will. So here are some safety tips to remember on that first ride home from the hospital as well as through out toddler hood:

- Always follow manufactures directions for both the installation and the securing of the child. Always cheek before each ride if the seat is properly secured and always retighten the seat belt that holds your baby in the actual car seat. Use locking clips that are available in most of the newer models of cars, if you don't have these you need to make sure the shoulder or lap belt stays tight.

-Getting your baby used to riding in a car seat will make later use of the seat easier and more accepting almost like a routine when they get in the car. It is what's expected.

-Infants should ride in the middle of the back seat. This is the safest part in any car.

- Don't place child seat at either side of the car. This is the most vulnerable place for side impact car crashes. If you have to place child here it is best to have them rear facing.

-Never put a child under 10 in the front seat with an air bag. An air bag can crush or suffocate a young child.

-Infants should ride in a rear facing car seat until they weigh 20 pounds, and can sit up well. Over 20 pounds or a year and close to 20 pounds the child can face forward.

-Over 30 pounds, they can ride in a booster seat or a toddler seat designed to hold a larger child.

- For older babies use toys that are made for the car seat, that are attached so baby can not throw, or drop toys. This distracts the driver as well as upsets baby.

-Make sure that heavy or large objects such as briefcases, suitcases, laptops, boxes are tied down or on the floor so in case of an accident or sudden stop these objects don't hit baby.

-For young babies do pad the sides of the car seat and the areas around the head with a blanket to provide support.

-If baby is small then place a blanket between the baby and the crotch strap, making the fit of the car seat safer and more secure for baby.

Follow these safety tips and those provided by the manufacturer of the car seat and you can make every ride safe for your baby.


Related Tags: car, infant, saftey

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