When you’re driving with an infant in a car seat, it’s important to keep in mind a few safety tips. One of which is to keep the handle of the car seat up when you’re driving. Many people are under the impression that this isn’t necessary, but according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it is in fact essential for the safety of both you and your child. Here are four reasons why: 1. By keeping the handle up, you ensure that the car seat will not move around while you’re driving. This is especially important when you’re driving in a busy area or on a busy highway. 2. By keeping the handle up, you also keep your child safe from being ejected from the car seat if there is an accident. 3. By keeping the handle up, you prevent your child from falling out of the car seat while you’re driving. 4. Most importantly, by keeping the handle up, you protect their head from hitting the roof of the car if they lose their balance while inside the car seat. If you still don’t believe me, take a look at this infographic
Should Infant Car Seat Handle Be Up When Driving?
It is not recommended that an infant car seat handle be up while driving. The handle can become entangled in the vehicle’s seat belt, which could lead to a crash.
Pros and Cons of Keeping an Infant Car Seat Handled
Keeping an infant car seat handled is generally considered a pro because it reduces the risk of the infant becoming injured in a car accident. However, handling an infant car seat can also be dangerous if not done correctly. The pros and cons of keeping an infant car seat handled are summarized below:
PRO: Reduced risk of injury in a car accident
CON: Can be dangerous if not done correctly
Conclusion
When it comes to safety, there is no question that the most important item is your baby’s car seat. The handle should be positioned up when you are driving in order to ensure that your child remains safe and secure in their car seat. Remember to always keep a close eye on your little one while you’re driving, and make sure to use the proper car seat handle positioning whenever you’re behind the wheel.