A car seat is one of the bigger expenses on your baby registery or it is something that you decide to purchase yourself. If you have ever walked down the isle at the baby store more than likely you are faced with an overwhelming decision. I realize that not every one is rich but having a car seat that meets your safety requirement should be your top priority. Did you know that car crashes are the number one reason why infants and young children are injured or killed? Today, I wanted to share with you some tips on how to keeping your baby safe with just a few simple steps.
Babies should always face rear of the car because their bodies aren’t strong enough to support themselves if they are facing forward if you were involved in a collision. Researchers are even suggesting that infants and child under the age of 4 should remain rear facing as long as possible. I remember when my daughter was with me when I got rear ended. She appeared to be fine even though she was facing forward. Looking back, I wish that I would have kept her facing the rear of the car much longer. As she has gotten older, she has complained of back pain and I don’t know if it was from the initial car accident or if she injured it at a later date.
Disclosure: This post is for informational purposes only. Please take your car seat to your local police or fire station, for additional help installing your car seat.
Best Place to Install a Car Seat
Most parents realize that the safest place in a car is in the in the middle seat in the passenger area of the car or back seat. If your child is placed in the middle, it will prevent them from being impacted if you were involved in a collision especially if you were hit from the side. Infants should rear face until they are at least 2 years old according the American Pediatric Association or hit the height and weight restrictions that are located on the car seat.
Ensure that the Car Seat is Level and Installed Properly
It is very important for parents to follow the car seat manufactures installation guide or directions when installing your chlid’s car seat. It is very important that you use the level bar found on most of the newer car seats. The reason your child’s car set need to be level is to help support your baby’s head and neck properly, especially if they are unable to hold their head up on their own. If you have having trouble getting the car seat level, try rolling up a towel or using a pool noodle. If you are using a pool noodle, you can cut it to fit the car seat.
Also, there is a helpful car seat group on BabyCenter that will help recommend the best car seat for your make and model of car. This group is awesome from what I have heard, they even helped parents in my birth group find 3 car seats including an infant seat to fit in the back of a Ford Focus.
The car seat needs to be installed properly to protect your child in the event that you are involved in a car crash. When installing the car seat, you may have to have someone sit in the seat in order to put some weight on it so that you can make sure that it is installed securely. The car seat shouldn’t move side to side when you try to move it. If you are unsure, if the car seat is installed properly you can take it to the hospital, local fire department, or local police department. They are usually willing to help ensure that your car seat is installed properly.
Comments
17 responses to “Tips to Ensure that Your Child’s Car Seat is Installed Properly”
WOW – thank you – I thought the strap had to be across the chest like the one you have "incorrect". I am glad you shared this.
Your welcome. 🙂 I hope that this helps other mom’s as well.
This is a ridiculously important post. When I had my 3rd after (gasp) 8 years…I completely forgot how to do simple things like install a car seat correctly, where seat belts should go etc. I actually got my seat professionally installed! Crazy I know but not something I wanted to risk.
This is a very important topic. Thank you for sharing Susan.
Great tips! I had to give my baby brother lessons in how to make sure his baby was sitting safe in her car seat not too long ago. To my horror, she was too “loose”!
Your welcome. I am glad that you were able to help your brother.
Bulky clothes drive me crazy w/the car seat adjustment. Thanks for the tips!
I didn’t realize that bulky clothes were an issue. I used to dress my daughter in a huge bulky snow suit in the winter time.
We purchased what was probably one of the 1st safety car seats for infants and children way back in 1963 even before seat belts were required. Safety in cars has come a long way since then. Thanks for sharing these tips for us grandparents, too.
There were no car seats when I was a child and I remember standing up in the backseat hanging over the front seat. Now that would have sent my parents to prison in this day and age. Car seats are VERY important and really should be installed properly. I have seen police and firemen in strip mall parking lots assisting people to install them or to make sure they are installed correctly. Finally someone had a good idea!
I remember riding in my grandmother’s car without seat belts in the back seat. I am so glad the laws have changed it was so dangerous.
It’s been years since my son used his car seat. This post would have come in handy back then. 🙂
This is great information every one should know really. I will have to share this with my sister who has a newborn. Thanks for sharing.
Very useful post! I personally wouldn´t buy and use used car seat either.
Thanks for the safety tips to fix a car seat for our children. A secured journey is what can give you more pleasure & fun. At the same time, if your kid is in the back rear facing seats, then you have to check your child if they are comfortable or would they need anything else. Don’t leave them in the same position for a long time.
Thanks for the safety tips to fix a car seat for our children. A secured journey is what can give more pleasure & fun. At the same time, if your kid is in the back rear facing seats, then you have to check your child if they are comfortable or would they need anything else. Don’t leave them in the same position for a long time.
Awesome post! After reading this post, parents will feel more at ease now that they have a guide to go by when installing child’s car seat. Thanks!