Child Car Seats Safety

It is very important that you make all the necessary steps to secure your child in your auto. Become familiar with the child car seat laws in your state. Although child car seat laws exist in all states, having a child or baby car seat is only the first step. Knowing how to maximize child car seat safety is the most crucial stage of all. A single mistake may cost you the life of your child. Remember that studies have proven that children are the most common victims in auto accidents.

Common Errors In Using Child Car Seats

A loose strap or a simple misplacement should not be taken lightly. But believe it or not, injuries and fatalities happen to children simply because of carelessness. Here are some common errors committed:

1. Failing to read the manual. A child or baby car seat comes with a manual just like everything else. Even a child booster seat comes with one. Unfortunately, a lot of motorists don't bother to read it. And this is vital since the safety of your child depends on it. Be wary of buying used child car seats, most will not be sold with the manual or may be missing critical hardware.
   Check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 2006 Child Safety Seat Ease of Use Rating. The ratings program by the NHTSA educates parents and caregivers about child safety seat features and is very helpful in determining which child car seat fits your needs.
   
   
2. Wrong location. The backseat is the best place for your child car seat or infant car seat. Remember that most accidents are frontal and that there are airbags situated in the front seats.
   
   
3. Lack of evaluation. Perform a thorough review of the child car seat you want to buy. See first if it'll fit properly in your auto. Afterwards, make sure that it conforms to your state's child car seat law. Keep in mind that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides a child car seat safety rating of many brands.
   
   
4. Loose buckle, strap or wrong size. Always make sure that the child or baby car seat is completely secured. Tighten all buckles and straps. And if your child is getting to big for the seat, get a new one. Remember that many states require child booster car seats for older children.

How To Use Child Car Seats Correctly

Knowing how to use your child car seat properly is one of the best ways to practice child car seat safety. You are protecting the life of your child. Here are pointers on how to use the booster, child or baby car seat in your auto:

• Adjust the straps properly. Make sure that none of them are entangled and that they are flat. Flipped straps may cut the child in a car accident.
• Check if the straps are comfortable but be certain that they are tight enough. Remember that the straps also have to go between the legs. If your child is wearing thick clothing, you may have to do some adjustments.
• Secure the carrying handle before you put the child or baby car seat in your auto.
• When using a infant or baby car seat, make sure that it's facing the rear of your auto when you place it in your backseat.
• Insert and secure the straps using the lower slots of the seat. This should be near or at the shoulder level of your baby.
• Provide sufficient padding to all sides of the seats. Use blankets or towels so that your baby won't slouch. This is also done to recline the seat at a safe angle.
• Before getting a child booster car seat, ensure that your child is above the height and weight limit of the seat you bought. See to it that the seat belts of your auto fit your child properly.