- 1 Here Are The Top 10 Tips for Infant Car Seat Safety
- 1.1 1. Buy the right car seat
- 1.2 2. Using of Front-facing safety seats
- 1.3 3. Belt-positioning booster seat
- 1.4 4. Getting the right fit
- 1.5 5. Installing your car seat.
- 1.6 6. Use Infant Head Support For Car Seat
- 1.7 7. Use Central Position In The Rear Seat
- 1.8 8. Dress Up Your Child In A Right Way
- 1.9 9. Consider Your Childs Behavioral Complications
- 1.10 10. Be Careful When Placing Your Child In a Car Seat
Getting your infant home from the hospital is a magical and unforgettable moment. It can also be extremely unnerving. You are now responsible for the most precious cargo sleeping on the back seat. The best way to keep your infant safe in the car is to use the right infant car seat in the right way.
In the United States, the hard facts about the safety of infant car seats in cars are as follows – Road accidents are the leading cause of preventable death and injury to children. More than half of seats are not used or installed correctly. Properly used child safety seats can reduce the risk of death by up to 71%.
Many kids spend a lot of time in the car, so it is important to learn how to keep them safe on the road. Here are some infant car seat safety tips from the (AAP) American Academy of Pediatrics and Boys Town Pediatrics to make car travel safe and fluid at any age.
Here Are The Top 10 Tips for Infant Car Seat Safety
1. Buy the right car seat
Your child must travel in a rear-facing car seat as long as possible for at least 2 years according to AAP recommendation on car seat safety. Infants and toddlers tend to have relatively large heads with weak neck muscles, which puts them at greater risk of injury to the head and spine in the event of an accident. The rear-facing structure is the most effective to protect from this type of injury. However, if a child exceeds the height, size and weight limits of the safety seat before the age of 2, it is recommended that you switch to a forward facing seat.
2. Using of Front-facing safety seats
Look at the label of the infant car seat to make sure your baby is still within the height, weight and age limits for this car seat. After children have passed the rear seats, parents are encouraged to keep their children in the front safety seats for as long as possible (until the child exceeds size and weight).
3. Belt-positioning booster seat
Children who have passed their front safety seat can move to the booster seats. A booster seat will ensure that the seat belt fits your child for maximum safety: with the abdominal part of the belt falling through the hips and pelvis and the part of the shoulder striking through the center of chest and shoulder. Children should remain in their car booster seats until a seat belt properly fits them without the booster.
4. Getting the right fit
A properly adjusted harness offers the best possible protection for the child.
5. Installing your car seat.
You will have to decide whether to use the seat belt or the lower anchors to fix the seat. Both are safe, but you can’t use them both at the same time. Once the child is facing forward, it is important to use the cable with the seat belt or lower anchors.
6. Use Infant Head Support For Car Seat
To better protect your baby’s head and neck use the best infant head support for car seat. It will keep your baby more safe and secured.
7. Use Central Position In The Rear Seat
The central position in the rear seat is considered to be the safest place for a car seat because it is furthest from doors and windows that could be struck by an accident. For this reason, a tight-fitting and comfortable car seat is a must for your child.
8. Dress Up Your Child In A Right Way
You should dress your child in a way that allows a perfect fit of the seat belts. In cold weather, place the child on the seat without a thick coat and place a coat or blanket over him once comfortably attached to the seat.
9. Consider Your Childs Behavioral Complications
If your child has physical or behavioral complications, it may need to be considered when determining the safest way to travel.
10. Be Careful When Placing Your Child In a Car Seat
You should never place your children in rear-facing safety seats in a passenger seat, especially when the car seat has an active airbag. Children under 13 are safer in the rear seat, away from the airbags.