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. With all the well-meaning intentions in place, it is still unfortunate that many parents - at least 79.5 percent of them - incorrectly use a child safety seat, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Through the wrong use of safety restraints, many children are actually put in potential harm by otherwise well meaning parents. The most common mistakes found were loose harness straps and safety belt attachments. These mistakes, the ones that almost every parent makes, are the ones that the NHTSA say can be the most 'critical.'
Always use the correct seat for your baby's age and weight and in the correct 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. Because of the way they are designed, the small, portable, snug seat is ideal for a newborn. Infant car seats should always be used in the back seat, as should all child safety restraints, and only in the rear-facing position.
Instead of an infant-only seat, many parents choose convertible seats which they can use as the child grows. Unlike infant-only car seats, these types of seats are typically difficult to navigate because they need to be heavier so that the baby can grow into them. Convertibles should also be placed in the rear-facing position for infants under 20 pounds and younger than a year. You can go ahead and place any child that is 20-40 pounds in a front-facing position. It doesn't matter which seat you choose for the child; what does matter is that you use it correctly. You will find it easier to do so if you read all the important parts of your vehicle owner guide and the instruction that came with your safety seat.
You have two important guides to help you do this: your vehicle owner guide book and your safety seat manufacturer's guide. Two sets of buckles must be snapped correctly for the car seat to function as designed: those holding the baby in place and those holding the car seat in place. 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. Straps should be in slots that go at or below the baby's shoulder in infant car seats, and at or above the baby's shoulders in convertible seats. Parents should check their owner's manual to confirm placement, and they should make sure that the harness clip is at the same level as the baby's armpits, and that their straps of the harness are not twisted.
Also consult your owner's guide as you strap in the seat belt, making sure it goes through the right path, and tilt the seat back by 45 degrees. A rolled towel under the base helps secure the seat into position. Tighten the seat belt, as needed, to ensure the restraint is secured to your vehicle. Every car that has a LATCH system has special requirements, and those mean that the parent should read their owner guides, to both their car and their car seat, to make sure their seat is installed correctly. Many people purchase used seats; they should check the age and condition of their seat. Don't use a seat that is more than five years old or does not come with the manufacturer's instructions. Also make sure it comes complete with all parts and comes accident-free.
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