some car seat basics.

[jrp0606]

Vehicle accidents are the number 1 killer of children in the United States - the way you choose to restrain your child can make the difference between life or death in the event of an accident.

There are some important things you should consider -

* ALWAYS read your car seat manual.

* You should invest in a new seat for your child.  When you buy a used car seat you can not gaurantee the history of the seat - it may have been involved in an accident or trauma that would cause it to fail in the event of an accident.

* Car Seats have expiration dates check the stickers and the plastic to see when you seat was manufacturer.  Unless stated otherwise by the manufacturer most seat expire after 6 years and should not be used after this.

* Infants under 12 months old MUST be rear facing - the current AAP recommendation is that young children remain rear facing to the limit of their seats - in the US this is either 35lb or 40lbs.  Check your car seat manual to confirm your seats limits.

* Once a child has outgrown the the rearfacing limit on their seat they should remain in a 5 point harness until they have reached the limit of their harness and can sit correctly in a booster seat 100% of the time and the seat belt fits them correctly.  Usually around 5 or 6 years old.  US car seats can harness up to 65 and 80lbs. Check your car seat manual to confirm the limit of your seat.

* When a child has outgrown a harness they should remain in a booster until they are at least 8 years old - but ideally until they can fit an adult seatbelt correctly.  A simple 5 step test can determine this

         1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
         2. Do the child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
         3. Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
         4. Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
         5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?

* Have your car seat checked by a Child Passanger Safety Technician to ensure that your seat is installed correctly - and that your child is restrained correctly in the seat.  You can find a local child passanger safety technician in your area at www.safekids.org.

[momma2-3boys]

Sep. 29, 2009 at 11:25 PM

Thank you!  Voting popular!!

[babyboomboom]

Sep. 29, 2009 at 11:50 PM

Love it!!!

[Bree0922]

Sep. 29, 2009 at 11:57 PM

awesome!
short and to the point! :)

[wrcmom]

Sep. 30, 2009 at 9:03 AM

now, how do i get this to EVERYONE i know. great job!!!

[jrp0606]

Sep. 30, 2009 at 10:38 AM

at the top of the page you can share it too facebook myspace etc.  feel free to share -

(Original Poster)

[mommy_of3boys]

Sep. 30, 2009 at 11:37 AM

Great info!  Thanks.

[micahsmommy512]

Sep. 30, 2009 at 1:43 PM

thankyou for writing this!!

it kills me to see pictures of all these tiny babies put in their carseat incorrectly!

[RanaAurora]

Sep. 30, 2009 at 1:46 PM

Great information.

No one's 11 month old is a "special case" where they would be safer forward-facing because of legs or "a strong neck."  Two years is the recommended MINIMUM, since the risk is internal decapitation - where the skull separates from the spine and tears the spinal cord.  Your kid facing forward is not worth that risk.

[AussieMum2]

Sep. 30, 2009 at 3:07 PM

Thank you for sharing this.  I get so upset when I see forward facing babies or kids who seem like 3 in a booster seat and not a 5 point harness.  My 6 year old just went into the Britax Frontier and will be in the 5 point harness it until he outgrows it.

You can find a video on my home page (towards the bottom) on the importance of a 5-point harness over traditional backless booster seats.

[faithfulmomof1]

Sep. 30, 2009 at 4:55 PM

I bought the myride 65 because my 10 month old is 34 lbs, and 36 inches. yes 3 feet already.

I hope it last till he is one. Unless they make a seat that will rf past 40 and will be under 200 bucks my son will have to FF as soon as he hits the weight.