Safety is a priority with parents, and this is reflected in the amount of time and money they are willing to spend on a car seat for their child. Despite the obvious concern for child safety, parents misuse the seats on an average of 79. Most people jeopardized their child by improperly fastening the safety restraints. Both the harness straps and safety belt attachments were frequently too loose. Among the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's study, these mistakes - the most frequent ones - are also the most potentially 'critical,' because they pose a great danger to the child.
{So how do you know make sense of keeping your newborn safe?}
Make sure you are not one of the parents who overlook obtaining a seat that is custom made for the child's weigh and age; once you purchase it, make sure you put it in the right position. Many infant car seats allow you to place your child in a rear-facing position, provided that he or she is under a year old and less than 20 pounds. Anyone who looks closely at these seats can visibly tell that they were designed for newborns and small babies by the way that they are made and through their portability. Parents should place their infant-only car seat in the back seat and face him or her towards the rear of the car.
Unlike infant-only seats, convertible seats will allow your child to grow without having to replace the seat. As your baby grows, they will need a larger, sturdier car seat, and convertible seats fit the bill for your child exactly. Any child who is smaller than 20 pounds or younger than a year can be placed in the rear-facing position in a convertible. When baby turns one and exceeds 20 pounds, you can turn the seat forward-facing; most convertible seats accommodate children up to 40 pounds. Whether you use an infant-only or a convertible seat, be sure to use it in the manner you're supposed to. Read the seat's instructions and your vehicle owner's guide. The car seat should buckle into the car, and the baby should buckle into the seat. Positions of the slot and firmness of the harness strap itself make the harness one of the more complex issues that parents seem to struggle with. The baby's shoulders are a good way to measure where the straps slide into the slots; for infant car seats they go below, and for convertibles, they go above. Many times parents allow the harness straps to become twisted, and they should not; check your owner's guide to see where the harness clip should be placed, though a good height is generally around the armpit.
Safety belt use is a common problem, as well so be sure the seat belt follows the correct path for the position of the seat and recline the seat at about a 45-degree angle, if possible. Another tip is to include a rolled up towel that you can place under the seat. Make sure that the safety seat is fastened to your vehicle, and tighten the seat belt as needed. LATCH systems will require you to follow the exact details that should be listed in the vehicle owner's guide and the car seat manufacturer's guide. The seat should be in good condition, so if you purchase a used one, double check the label for age. Every seat you buy, even a used one, should include instructions from the manufacturer; your seat should be less than five years old as well. Make sure you have all the parts and know whether it has been in an accident; be safe not sorry - don't take the chance.
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