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Volume 27, Issue 1 Winter, 2008 |
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A Publication of Tiny Tots Diaper Service and Baby Boutique |
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Car Seat Checklist – Taking Every Precaution for Your Child’s Protection True or False? “98% of car seats in use today are installed improperly.” After completing the National Child Passenger Safety Certification Training, our vote would be: True. The reason is because there are so many variables between vehicles, seat belt types, air bags, child restraint installation, child restraint placement within vehicle, harness adjustment, after market products, unsecured objects (projectiles) within the vehicle, and the list goes on….and on. The following is a brief summary of tips to confirm that your child’s car seat will protect your child in the best possible way in the event of a crash: |
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1. Fill out the registration card that came with your car seat. This will insure that you are kept informed of recalls. You can also find the most updated recall list at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.
2. Make sure to use a car seat that has not been involved in a crash and is not older than 6 years. |
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(Editor’s note: although we are in the reuse business, it is not a good idea to use a car seat that you do not know the history of). This is one area not to skimp on. Car seats continually improve as technology improves.
3. Learn all you can from the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) which is the agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation focused on occupant safety. They are responsible for setting and enforcing safety standards for car seat manufacturers. Their web site http://www.nhtsa.gov is full of useful information regarding car seat safety. Another valuable resource is http://www.safekids.org.
4. Make sure you don’t have after market products in, on or around your car seat. Everything that came with your car seat has been crash tested—nothing else has been. Examples of items to avoid are car seat covers, toys, mirrors and sunshades. These items could either compromise the safety of the car seat or act as an injury-causing projectile in the event of a crash. Also, make sure that all other items in your vehicle are secured. Newton’s Law of Motion states that an object keeps moving in the direction it was headed at its original speed until it is stopped by something. Crash forces are measured using the formula: weight x speed = force. An example would be if you have an after market mirror connected to your car seat that weights 4 oz. and you are in a crash going 40mph there will be 10 lbs. of force striking whatever the mirror hits, hopefully not the baby (4 oz. x 40mph = 160 oz. = 10 lbs.). The tethers for after market toy fasteners and mirrors are unfortunately not required to be crash tested and it is probable that they would fail in a crash. It is important to understand that the forces involved in a crash can kill or cause serious injuries. |
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5. Carefully read through your vehicle and car seat manufacturers’ manuals for proper installation and recommendations. Make sure: · you understand what type of seat belts and/or latch system you have · you know where your air bags are · you position the car seat in the best location within the vehicle (the manual should help you) · you confirm the car seat is installed securely (once secured, it should not move more than 1” in any direction at bottom of car seat closest to the belt path or anchor) · you confirm the car seat is facing the correct direction (rear- or forward-facing according to car seat manual or stickers on car seat) · your child is within the age and weight recommendations for the car seat · you have used the proper belt path (and that it is not twisted and is properly locked—this will depend on what type of seat belt your vehicle is equipped with) · you aren’t using multiple systems (example: seatbelt and lower latch) for one car seat · you aren’t securing two car seats on one anchor bar · the harness is adjusted properly for the age and weight of your child (very important) Each item listed above is critically important and after reading your manuals, you may find that there is even more to consider based upon your specific vehicle and/or car seat.
6. If you have questions regarding the installation of your car seat, take your (a) vehicle, (b) car seat, (c) child, (d) vehicle manual and (e) car seat manual to a Child Seat Inspection Station. Locations can be found at http://www.nhtsa.gov. |
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It is normally free but an appointment might be necessary, so make sure to call before going.
Prior to taking this class on child passenger safety, the biggest misconception we had regarding car seats was thinking that once children reach either 1 year or 20 pounds it is advised that they be moved from rear-facing to forward-facing. The reality is: |
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it is safest and considered “best practice” for them to stay rear-facing as long as the specifications of the car seat enable them to do so. This information can be found in the car seat manual and should also be located on a sticker attached to the car seat. Children should travel rear-facing as long as possible because of dramatically increased crash protection. Many car seats can be used rear-facing until 35 lbs. (refer to the manual for confirmation and additional details).
Here are some more facts that surprised us: · Once a child is forward-facing, it is always preferable (although not always required based upon the weight of the child) to use the upper anchor/tether when available. Again, the upper anchor increases crash protection significantly in forward-facing car seats. · Unsecured objects in cars are extremely dangerous if there is a crash. · In the event of a crash, after market car seat products can be deadly. · There is more than one type of seat belt retractor and latch plate. It is imperative that you understand what type you have in your vehicle and then install the car seat based upon that information. It is the belt/anchoring system that we are relying on in the event of a crash. It is important that this component does not fail. |
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