Summer time is here, school is almost over & the road trips are about to commence!
The kids are excited to hit the beach, water parks & not having to wake up to go to school, Lol. While parents sanely try to get everything from snacks, activities, iPads, DVDS (if you're ducky enough to have a dvd player in you're car, Lol) & anything to help the trip go smoothly.
But do you ever stop & think Is my kids carseat/booster seat correctly installed? Is he/she in the right one?
Honestly sometimes we overlook it, not because we aren't responsible but because our mind is worrying about having a stress, cry & whine free trip. No judgement here! Ive totally fall into the category, especially since my little on suffers from motion sickness (thats a whole another post upon itself) I usually leave the car seat checking to my husband.
Lately though Ive taken it upon myself to ask him or remind him if he checked the car seat was still correctly in place (but he doesn't need the reminder, he's always on top of it).
Here are a few key tips for car seat safety: ( Source: National Highway traffic safety administration)
1. Make sure your child rides in the backseat. The backseat is generally the safest place in a crash. If your vehicle has a passenger air bag, it's essential for children 12 & under to ride in the back.
2. Make sure infants ride facing the rear until they're about age 1 & at least 20 to 22 pounds. Infants who weigh 20 pounds before 1 year of age should ride in a restraint approved for higher rear facing weights. Always read your child restraint owner manual for instructions on properly using the resistant. Children over age 1 and at least 20 pounds may ride facing forward.
3. Check to see that the safety belt holds the seat tightly in place. Put the belt through the correct slot. If your safety seat can be used facing either way, use the correct belts slots for each direction. The safety belt must stay TIGHT when securing the safety seat.
4. Make sure the harness is buckled snugly around your child. Keep the straps over your child's shoulder. The harness should be adjusted so you can slip only one finger underneath the straps at your child's chest. Place the chest clip t armpit level.
5. Have children over 40 pounds use a booster seat. Keep your child in a safety seat with a full harness as long as possible, until she/he is at least 40 pounds. Then use a belt-posyioning booster seat, which helps the adult lap and shoulder belt fit better. a belt-portioning booster seat, used with the adult and shoulder belt, is preferred for children weighing 40 to 80 pounds.
6. Check safety belt fit on older children. The child must be tall enough to sit without slouching, with knees bent at the edge of the seat, with the feet on the floor. the lap belt must fit low and tight across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should rest over the shoulder & across the chest. Never put the shoulder belt under the child's arm or behind her back. The adult lap & shoulder belt system alone will not fit most children until they're at least 4 feet 9 inches tall & weigh about 80 pounds.
Please keep in mind that when properly using a car seat it reduces the risk of death of infants 0-1 year of age nearly by 71% and toddlers aged 1-4 years by 54% in passenger vehicles.
Booster seat use reduces the risk for serious injury by 45% for children aged 4-8years when compared to the seat belt alone..
So let the summer fun begin but PLEASE be safe!!!
Lately though Ive taken it upon myself to ask him or remind him if he checked the car seat was still correctly in place (but he doesn't need the reminder, he's always on top of it).
Here are a few key tips for car seat safety: ( Source: National Highway traffic safety administration)
1. Make sure your child rides in the backseat. The backseat is generally the safest place in a crash. If your vehicle has a passenger air bag, it's essential for children 12 & under to ride in the back.
2. Make sure infants ride facing the rear until they're about age 1 & at least 20 to 22 pounds. Infants who weigh 20 pounds before 1 year of age should ride in a restraint approved for higher rear facing weights. Always read your child restraint owner manual for instructions on properly using the resistant. Children over age 1 and at least 20 pounds may ride facing forward.
3. Check to see that the safety belt holds the seat tightly in place. Put the belt through the correct slot. If your safety seat can be used facing either way, use the correct belts slots for each direction. The safety belt must stay TIGHT when securing the safety seat.
4. Make sure the harness is buckled snugly around your child. Keep the straps over your child's shoulder. The harness should be adjusted so you can slip only one finger underneath the straps at your child's chest. Place the chest clip t armpit level.
5. Have children over 40 pounds use a booster seat. Keep your child in a safety seat with a full harness as long as possible, until she/he is at least 40 pounds. Then use a belt-posyioning booster seat, which helps the adult lap and shoulder belt fit better. a belt-portioning booster seat, used with the adult and shoulder belt, is preferred for children weighing 40 to 80 pounds.
6. Check safety belt fit on older children. The child must be tall enough to sit without slouching, with knees bent at the edge of the seat, with the feet on the floor. the lap belt must fit low and tight across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should rest over the shoulder & across the chest. Never put the shoulder belt under the child's arm or behind her back. The adult lap & shoulder belt system alone will not fit most children until they're at least 4 feet 9 inches tall & weigh about 80 pounds.
Please keep in mind that when properly using a car seat it reduces the risk of death of infants 0-1 year of age nearly by 71% and toddlers aged 1-4 years by 54% in passenger vehicles.
Booster seat use reduces the risk for serious injury by 45% for children aged 4-8years when compared to the seat belt alone..
So let the summer fun begin but PLEASE be safe!!!
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