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Info Center > How Baby Car Seats Work - What You Should Know About Ensuring Safety
How Baby Car Seats Work - What You Should Know About Ensuring Safety
 I
think our parents still marvel at all that we have to offer our
children; between technology and zillions of brand names, we have
choices to give our kids that they’d never dreamed of giving
us. I always shake my head when I hear the stories of how babies
used to be transported in the back seat in their little bassinets
or “Moses” baskets, just resting on the vehicle seat
without any restraints. Or how the babies could easily be comforted
by the mother while driving because, after all, they weren’t
belted in anywhere. It’s not that our parents, grandparents,
and prior generations were opposed to safety; it simply didn’t
exist in the form it does now. The first baby car seat to be invented
was nothing more than a sack attached to the back seat with some
strings. This is hardly comparable to the hundreds of options that
parents of today can choose from.
Not only has what is being offered changed, but what is expected
and demanded by law has also changed. Vehicle safety is an area
of continuous restructuring as the government and various affiliations
work to improve road safety. The sad truth is that most accidents
can be prevented and this is especially saddening when you realize
that most deaths of small children due to vehicular accidents are
a result of being improperly restrained. We read the how to guides
for our VCR’s, digital cameras, and air conditioners, so why
not read the instructions on how to install the baby’s car
seat. It is true that they seem self-explanatory…this strap
here, this one there, belt it in and off you go. True, manufacturers
have created car seat models that are easy to use, detach, carry
and install but you simply must read the instructions especially
if you are unsure as your baby’s life may depend on it. One
statistic states that four out of every six children are improperly
restrained in the vehicle thus lessening the likelihood that they
are safe.
In the United States, each state may have its own child safety
laws when it comes to car seat requirements just as different states
have different traffic laws. It is essential that you are aware
of these restrictions and requirements if you are traveling outside
of your home town. Similarly, in Canada there are laws for restraining
young children. Manufacturers advertise and warn parents of such
restrictions, such as placing children under twelve in the front
seat of a vehicle with airbags, but it is up to us to abide by and
pay attention to these restrictions. If you are uncertain of the
vehicle laws in your area, especially those that pertain to child
car seats, you can contact the traffic office, local MLA or other
government agency. The importance of knowing how to install your
baby’s car seat and which car seat is right for your child
can not be overstated. As GI Joe says, “knowing is half the
battle”….the other half is ‘doing’!
Where do I go from here?
Baby is on the way and you either have a car seat or you don’t.
You may have an older car seat passed down by a friend or family
member or you may have purchased a new one the moment you found
out you were expecting. Are they both safe? Well, logically you
are thinking that the baby that occupied the hand-me-down seat was
kept safe and is thriving today so why wouldn’t it do the
same justice to your bundle of joy? Simply because everyday standards
are changing and what was considered safe a few years ago is not
necessarily safe today. So, the answer is no…they are not
both safe.
Can we make this easy on you and just tell you exactly which car
seat is safe and perfect and wonderful? No, we can’t do that
either. All we can do is equip you with the knowledge of how to
choose, purchase, install and use the appropriate safety seat.
It can be said that older seats are not the safest choice particularly
if you do not know their history. Many people borrow seats, buy
used ones or, as mentioned, get them handed down. What you may not
know is that if the seat has any damage, cracks, faults or has been
in an accident it is not keeping your baby safe. In these circumstances
it is not a seat that you should trust your newborn child in. Now,
this is not to say that one can never borrow a car seat. It’s
not an article to tell you that you must go now and purchase the
most expensive one out there. You can borrow car seats but they
should be within the current safety standard regulations. You should
not borrow a car seat that is more than five years old and in fact,
you should not use the same seat you used for your last child if
it is more than five years old. This is a common mistake among parents
and most of the time nothing happens. However, you don’t want
to place bets on it most of the time. Ensure your child’s
safety by being certain about the car seat’s history and quality.
Oh so many choices
You don’t just have to choose from different brand names and
manufacturers or different features and options. Oh no! You also
must choose from a variety of options in regards to “stages”.
There are baby carriers, rear facing seats, front facing seats and
boosters as well as combination and convertible seats. Keep in mind,
that most of these stages are for just that; the appropriate developmental
stage that your child is at. Infant carriers are to be used with
newborns up to about 22 pounds, but the weight limit varies with
the model and make.
The AAP recommends that children are in these seats or at the very
least, in rear facing car seats until they are one year of age AND
20 pounds. Your child must have reached both milestones, according
to law, to use a front facing seat. In fact, the school of thought
is that as long as you can keep your child comfortable rear facing
you should do so even if you surpass this requirement. This waiting
time allows for the strengthening of their bones and muscles, particularly
in the neck. Using a forward facing seat too soon puts your child
at serious risk of injury or even death should a vehicle collision
occur.
Installation above all else
How do you use a baby car seat? PROPERLY!! How do you do this? Baby
car seats are tested and tested again to ensure maximum safety for
your child. This safety is only assured if you, the purchaser, use
this seat properly right from installation to latching up your child
each time. You must be certain that the car seat fits well in your
vehicle. This includes making sure that neither the seat nor baby’s
head is not on too much of a slant.
When installed and used properly the baby car seat will work to
the best of its ability to keep your baby comfortable, secure and,
above all else, safe. Baby car seats work with the vehicle seat
belts and the seats to restrain the child in place.
A regular seat belt is not capable of keeping a small baby or child
restrained upon impact. Their bodies are much too little. The car
seat is equipped to hold them securely within the harness, while
the vehicle seat belt tightly restrains the car seat as a whole.
Your baby car seat will come with a number of features and options,
all of which you should be aware of and be certain that you want.
Some of your choices will include the type of harness, be it six
point, five point, or three point. These work by restraining the
child in that many places.
For example, a three point harness restrains the child at both
shoulders and once between the legs. Your car seat may or may not
come with a detachable base (this is for infant carriers), a head
rest, adjustable handles (again, infant seats), drink holders, and
many more options. A car seat works best if it meets your particular
needs so know beforehand what your needs are so you can find exactly
what you are looking for.
You can receive advice on installation from the manufacturer and
can in fact even have your installation checked for safety. Online,
you can find a number of locations to drive to with your car seat
and they will tell you if your car seat is securely, safely and
properly installed. Be sure as well that once a child is in a rear
or front facer that you adjust the head rest to accommodate their
growth spurts. As well, be certain that restraints are secure and
you can get now more than a finger between the restraint and baby.
If it has too much room baby may not be secure.
In closing
Having a baby is a big step in your life. You will want to feel
prepared and know that you are doing all you can to keep baby safe.
If nothing else, remember these few things: car seats come with
instructions- read them! Don’t borrow or buy a seat you don’t
know the history of but if you do borrow or buy a second hand seat
check for any defects, double check your installation and be prepared
to make adjustments to the harness as baby grows, contact a professional
(websites can give contact numbers and people) if you have any uncertainties.
Your local health department can also help you make sure that baby
is resting safely and comfortably in the seat.
By following the simple rules of car seat installation and use,
just as you would follow the “rules of the road”, you
are doing your best to keep your most precious cargo safe. A child
passenger safety technician is within a phone call if you need more
questions answered. Look online at consumer or government websites
for more information. Stay safe.
http://www.howitworks.net/how-baby-car-seats-work.html
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