Learn Key Factors about Car Seat Safety For Your Newborn

Concerned parents make every attempt to pick the appropriate car seat for their child. They spend considerable time and money to care for the safety of their newborn babies. Yet, in 2005, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicated that, in accordance with a multi-year study, mishandling happened in 79.5 percent of the child car seats that they inspected.

Their study implies that lots of parents unknowingly put their babies in harms way by failing to use the passenger's restraints accurately. The most ordinary mistakes found were sloppy harness straps and safety belt attachments. Unfortunately, the NHTSA additionally names these mistakes "critical" because of the aptitude for harm.

So, what are some simple kinds of methods for keeping your child safe?

First, ensure that you are choosing the proper seat in the perfect location based on your child's age and weight. The majority of child car seats are best used in the rear-facing position for babies below one year of age who do not yet weigh 20 pounds.

Infant-only seats are intended for younger, smaller infants, so they are a fine pick for your newborn. They offer a high quality fit and are conveniently small and portable. These car seats must always be used in the rear seat, as should all Infant car seats, and only in the rear-facing position.

If you prefer a seat that will grow with your child as she grows, a convertible seat is a great choice. Convertible seats are bigger and heavier, so they will fit your infant for a longer period of time. They are used in the rear-facing position for babies under a year old and for babies more than one year but have not yet reached 20 pounds. When your child turns one and exceeds 20 pounds, you can turn the seat to face front. Most convertible seats fit babies up to 40 pounds and really good quality ones will hold a child up to 70 pounds.

Whatever seat you go for, it is completely vital that you know how to install it correctly. Make sure to read the manufacturer's directions, as well as your car owner's handbook. To be operational, your child must be buckled into the seat securely, and the seat must be accurately buckled into your car.

Harness straps seem to be one area with specific issues for parents. For your child's safety, the harness should be in the proper slot position and fitted snugly to yourlot position and fitted snugly to your chly to your child's chest. The straps must be in the slots just below your childs shouldebe in the slots just below your childs shoulders. The harness clip that holds the sp that holds the straps together ought to be at more or less armpit Height, and the straps the straps must not be twisted. You must always look at You must always look at the owner's handbook to confirm proper position.

Seat belt use is a general problem, also. Ensuys look at the owner's handbook to confirm proper position.

Seat belt use is a general problem, also. Ensure tse is a general problem, also. Ensure the seat belt fral problem, also. Ensure the seat belt follows the appropriaEnsure the seat belt follows the appropriate path fe appropriate path for the position of the seat and recline the seat at about a 45-degree angle, if possible. A rolled towel beneath the base can sometimes allow you to tightelow you to tighten the to tighten the seat accurately into position. Tighten the seat belt, as required, to ensure the restraint is secuhe restraint is secured to your car. If your car has a LATCH system, use it according to the Instructions of your child's seat and those of the car owner's instruction booklet.

Other crucial factors include age and condition of the seat. If your seat was not bought new, look at the label. Do not use a seat that is over five years old or comes without the manufacturer's directions. Ask the previous owner if it has been involved in an accident. If so, better safe than sorry, do not take the risk.