Car Seat Safety - It is Very Important!

One of the most dangerous things parents are forced to do with their children is put them inside a vehicle to go somewhere. When accidents happen, most vehicles are just not equipped to protect little passengers.

While safety features, like reinforced doors, can help, others can hurt. Air bags, for example, have been known to literally suffocate small passengers. The best way to compensate for the fact vehicles are built for adults is to put in the right child safety seats and use them where they are most effective. Whether you are planning a trip down the street or across country, having the right seat in place for a child is the best thing you can do to protect precious cargo.

The best location in a vehicle for child seats is the back seat area. If a pickup truck is the vehicle of choice, be sure to disengage the passenger side air bag if this is possible. To select the right seats follow these general rules of thumb for picking out age and size-appropriate models:

Newborns and infants - Rear-facing car seats are the best for babies. Most states, in fact, insist on rear-facing seats in their written laws. Try to keep a child in a rear-facing seat for as long as possible, but do pay attention to manufacturer recommendations for size and weight.

Toddlers and preschoolers - As babies get a little older; they will outgrow most standard rear-facing seats. When this happens, it is time for a forward-facing, harness system or a convertible seat. These car seats are designed to accommodate children up to age 4 or 5. Harness systems can be the best for dealing with toddlers who have figured out buttons. Harnesses are very difficult for toddlers to disengage.

Older, larger children - While most parents might not want to admit it, children do grow out of standard car seats rather quickly. When a preschooler is too big for a harness system, a booster seat is in order. This type of seat will generally raise a child enough that the seat belt system of the vehicle will work. Booster seats are advised for children until they reach the height of about 4 feet 9 nine inches.

Teens - Make sure to keep the good habits going into the teen years by insisting on seat belts even in the back seat.

Installing car seats properly is vital for ensuring they will work when they are needed the most. To get the job done right, follow manufacturer instructions closely. If there is any concern during the installation, check the instructions twice. Otherwise, many local police and fire departments and hospitals have technicians available that can help. Call to find out if a car seat expert is available in the local community. Do not be embarrassed if figuring out proper installation proves to be too much. Car seats have become so complicated that technicians must take a several-day class to receive certification.

No matter how far you plan to travel, making sure children are safe should be the top priority. The best place to start is with installing the right child safety seat for each little passenger.

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