With more than 27,000 motor vehicle accidents occurring on America’s roads daily, investing in a car seat that supports your child’s safety is imperative. While being a safe driver by keeping one’s eyes on the road and focusing on what is happening around them may be relatively simple for most adults, sometimes it isn’t as simple when there are little ones playing around in the back, screaming babies or sniveling toddlers amidst tumultuous tantrums.
It’s always a major undertaking to buy your first vehicle and having kids before you have one can make it even more daunting. But we want you to know how quick and easy it is to be comfortable driving with your children behind the wheel!
Car Safety
It’s the law. As a parent of young children, it is your responsibility to ensure they ride in the right safety seat while traveling in your vehicle. If you drive in any one of the 50 states, chances are there are car seat laws parents must follow and SafeKids has made it easy to track down what they are if you’re unsure. Making sure you’ve been informed of these laws will help keep your child safe when on the go as it is believed that up to 70% of all parents don’t use their car seats properly.
Infant Car Seat Safety
Rear-facing car seats are used to transport children under one year of age. These seats have been deemed safer than forward facing because the child’s head, neck and spine are protected with foam inserts . There are weight and height limitations for rear facing car seat models and it is important to be sure these limitations do not exceed your baby’s measurements.
Forward-Facing Car Seats
Once your baby reaches 12 months of age, they are able to use a forward-facing car seat. This type of car seat lets them take in more sights while you explore the area while also providing a number of safety measures like a five-point harness and tether strap that keep them safe in case of an accident.
A weight limit is set by the manufacturer that makes a given forward-facing seat. We suggest you check with your manufacturer to see what their requirements are and make sure you follow them as closely as possible so that your child will have continued safe travel in the car.
Booster Seat
Safety is a very serious subject. It’s extremely important to keep your child safe during travel, especially in the car. Children 8-12 years of age must use a booster seat until they’re 4’9″. They must be placed in one because their bones haven’t filled out yet and it offers more protection from injury during an accident (or sudden stop). Make sure your child is buckled up before you drive off. Many different types of booster seats are available for children such as the BubbleBum , which is lightweight, portable, and easy to inflate!
Inside & Outside Car Safety
It’s important not to put your child in a seat and then drive off without double-checking the seat belt. Remember, you’re responsible for that little one – so make sure they are safe at all times while on the road. It takes only a second to buckle up and you don’t want to leave that up to your children.
Car Seat Safety Tips
A few additional car safety tips for you and your children:
What Car Seat Will You Purchase?
Car seats are absolutely essential when it comes to the safety of young children while riding in a car. You should not skimp out on quality in the hopes of saving some money on a cheaper brand, because you could find yourself having to shell out additional expenses down the road if your child is injured. By taking time to do some research and comparison shopping, you can ensure that you choose a seat for your baby that is both safe and practical for their age group.
Used Is Not An Option
Used car seats aren’t always worth it. You can buy a brand-new car seat without having to worry about recalls or worry that someone else may have been in accident with your car seat before.
Pre-Trip Car Seat Inspection
Before a road trip, do not forget about inspecting your car seat. A free checklist is available online to help you. Taking 10 minutes to review the product and the sample could give you great protection for your baby. If you are unsure about installing your car seat properly, various companies have personnel that perform free inspections in their areas.
Set An Example
You want your children to view you as someone who cares about their own health and is willing to put their best foot forward to ensure they are protected. By buckling up each and every time you get inside of the car, your children will know that they need to buckle up too–and they will be more inclined to do so, when they see mommy or daddy practicing safety first.
Never Leave Children Unattended
Cars are not places to leave your kids unattended. Remember: in an instant, something terrible can happen and you’d be the one responsible for it- even if that involves just a few moments of downtime. Also keep in mind, children should never ride inside of a vehicle with the engine on due to the dangers associated with carbon monoxide poisoning and excessive heat buildup within.
Stay Up-To-Date
When buying a car seat for your infant, we recommend that you first register it with the manufacturer. Doing so enables you to take advantage of the warranty, but this is not all it does! Registering your baby’s car seat also provides you with an additional safety feature in the form of notifications you can access which include safety recalls, information on serial number tracking, and help contacting customer service faster should a problem arise with the baby’s car seat.
