Toddlers

Good Parenting is Having a Good Car Seat: 10 Car Seat Safety Tips

Jun 2, 2012

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As parents there are so many “rules” we are supposed to follow to keep our kids safe. Honestly, I have no idea how ANY of us made it (being a child of the 1980’s) because I KNOW my parents didn’t follow half the rules we are supposed to remember in the year 2012. We have all heard it and even said it, “we didn’t do that/have that/need that when we were kids and we turned out just fine!”

As a first-time mom of a 1-year-old, I have learned to take all of the advice and “rules” with a grain of salt, but there is one “rule” that I 100% follow EVERY TIME.It’s the car seat rule! While my grandparents continue to preach “we didn’t use car seats,” I know that the safety of my baby in a car is nothing to joke about!

The fact is, part of good parenting is a good car seat. There is a reason they won’t let you leave the hospital without one. We can control many things in our kids’ lives, but we can’t control how other people drive.

Here are 10 TOP SAFETY TIPS from Safe Kids USA:

For the best possible protection, keep your baby in a rear-facing child safety seat in a back seat for as long as possible – up to the height or weight limit of the particular seat. The “12 months and 20 pounds” rule that many parents cite when turning their child forward-facing in the car is actually the minimum size and age requirement for that change. New recommendations suggest that children remain rear-facing to age 2.
Keep a baby rear-facing in a convertible seat until he or she reaches the maximum height or weight allowed by the manufacturer. For many children that will be 30, 35 or even 40 pounds. Many kids will be over age 2 when they reach that weight. Rear-facing occupants are safest.
Use your baby’s car seat rear-facing and semi-reclined to no more than 45 degrees, so the baby’s head stays in contact with the seat and the baby’s airway stays open. Read the car seat instructions.
Make sure the buckled harness straps that keep your baby properly positioned and secured in the car seat fit snugly. Loose harness straps don’t provide maximum protection. Be sure the harness is tight enough that you cannot pinch webbing at the shoulder. Position the shoulder straps through the slots at or below your baby’s shoulders. Adjust the chest clip to armpit level.
Use either the car’s seat belt or LATCH system to lock the car seat into the car. Do not use both systems at the same time. Your car seat should not move more than one inch side to side or front to back. Grab the car seat at the safety belt or LATCH path to test it.
Every car seat has an expiration date. Generally, it is six years from manufacture. Many have the expiration date stamped on the seat. Contact the manufacturer of your specific seat to find out what its expiration date is.
Never buy a used car seat if you do not know its full history. Never use a car seat that has been in a crash. Avoid seats sold at flea markets or yard sales or online. Do not use any products that did not come from the manufacturer in or with the car seat. Car seat fabrics meet strict fire safety codes.
Find the frontal airbags in your vehicle by checking the owner’s manual. Never put a rear-facing car seat in front of an active frontal airbag. Children are always safest in a back seat.
Have your car seat checked by a currently certified child passenger safety technician to make sure it is properly installed.
Never leave a child alone in a vehicle – not even for a minute.

There are updates to laws and regulations often. Follow them. Educate yourself.

There are also loads of resources available regarding car seat safety. Here are some links and articles we recommend: