When you’re out and about with your little ones in the car, you want them to be as safe as possible. But is your car seat actually making them safe? It turns out not all car seats are created equal. In fact, there are a few that pose a serious safety risk to infants and young children. If you have a child under one year old, it’s important that you do your research to make sure their car seat is safe. This blog post will explore some of the dangers of using certain car seats and what you can do to make sure your infant is as safe as possible while traveling in your vehicle.
What to look for when purchasing a car seat
When choosing a car seat, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, make sure the seat is appropriate for your child’s weight and height. Second, be sure to read the car seat manufacturer’s instructions carefully before installing it in your vehicle. Finally, always check the safety rating of the car seat before purchasing it.
How to install a car seat
If you have a new car, it’s likely that the car seat is already installed. If your car doesn’t have a built-in car seat, there are several options for installing one. Here are instructions for installing a standard car seat in a Hyundai Accent:
1. Open the door on the side of the car nearest the child’s seating location and pull out the bench seat.
2. Locate and unlatch the shoulder belt webbing from around the front portion of the bench seat.
3. Push down on one end of the shoulder belt to adjust it to fit your child’s height and weight. Make sure that the red tab at the end of the belt is pointing towards your child.
4. Insert each child’s legs through two loops on either side of their body, then buckle them in place using one or two buckles near their feet (depending on their size).
5. Pull up on both ends of the shoulder belt to tighten it against your child’s body, making sure that they are properly restrained by it. You may also want to secure any additional supplies, such as a toy or drink bottle, before closing and locking the door.
Car seat recalls and safety warnings
Car seat recalls and safety warnings are being issued more frequently than ever before. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued over 50 car seat recalls in 2017 alone, and that number is expected to grow in 2018. Car seats are a vital part of keeping your child safe while they’re in the car, but they can also be a source of injury if they’re not used properly.
Here are five things you need to know about car seat recalls and safety warnings:
1. Always use a certified car seat, even if it’s already installed in your vehicle. Recalls may involve older models of car seats that have been recalled for other issues.
2. Don’t use a booster seat with your child until they reach the appropriate height or weight limit for their car seat. Boosters can cause injuries if the child falls out of the seat during a crash.
3. Make sure your child’s head is well-rested by using a correctly fitted harness and rear-facing position when possible. Harnesses can cause spinal cord compression in an accident, which could lead to paralysis or death. Rear-facing positions reduce the risk of neck injuries in a crash too.
4. Never leave your child unattended inside a parked car, even for just a few minutes. Car seats aren’t as effective at protecting children in hot cars, and heatstroke is one of the leading causes of death among children under 5 years old.”
Conclusion
It’s never too late to make sure your car is as safe as possible for you and your children. No matter what age you are, it is important to be aware of the dangers that can come with road travel. One of the most important things to do when making a car seat decision for your family is to read the car seat reviews available online. This will give you an idea of which seats have been successfully used by other parents in similar situations, and which ones may not be as safe based on reports of Strangulation or Injuries caused by broken rails.