Car Seat Safety

Car accidents are often caused by unpredictable factors. By using the proper car seat and making sure it is properly installed, you can greatly reduce your child’s risk of injury and death in a car accident. Preferred Care cares about your family’s safety, which is why we offer these car seat “rules of the road.” And remember to set a good example for your children by always wearing your own seat belt!

Choosing a Safe Car Seat

• Borrowing or using hand-me-downs is a great budget saver. However, when it comes to car seats and cribs, the newer the better.
• The best seat is one that fits your car, and your baby’s size and weight.
• The price of the seat does not make it the best or the safest.
• Higher prices most often mean added features that may not make the seat safer.
• Try the car seat out. Practice putting the seat in your car and your child in and out of the seat.
• Five-point harnesses provide a better fit.
• Because car seats are constantly being tested against current safety standards, it’s important that you send in your registration card to the manufacturer. If there are any problems or recalls, you will be informed directly.

Using a Car Seat Safely

• Test the car seat to ensure a snug fit by pulling the base to either side or toward the front of the car. There should be no movement.
• The back seat is best - whatever type of car seat you use, the rear center seat is always the safest.
• Infants less than 20 pounds and less than 1 year old must ride in a rear facing child seat.
• Children over 20 pounds and older than 1 year old should ride in a car seat that faces the front of the vehicle.
• Keep your child in the forward-facing car seat for as long as he or she fits comfortably in it.
• Older children over 60 pounds should ride in a booster seat until the car’s lap and shoulder belts fits low and snug on their hips, without the shoulder belt crossing their face or neck.
• Never put the shoulder belt behind a child’s back or under an arm.
• Once you have an approved car seat, always use it instead of holding your baby in your lap when you’re riding in the car. You won’t be able to hang on to him or her during a crash or sudden stop.

Informational Source: Parlay International
Posted: March 2004