The safety of your infant during car rides is amongst the most vital responsibilities that come with being a parent or caretaker. Proper installation is a must not just because you want the car seat to be crashworthy when needed (this contraption sits your child in case you have an accident), but also so that it might protect him or her as much and properly do its job: keep modern parents from guilt.
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But unfortunately, studies say that most car seats are either installed incorrectly or misused to an extent where they do not live up to the potential safety standard. Read on to find out more about safety tips you have to keep in mind when installing your infant seat for that adorable human being and make every journey the safest it can be!
Picking the Perfect Car Seat
The quickest way you can easily do is by choosing the right car seat if for nothing else, but to keep your infant safe. Car seats come in 3 basic forms: Rear-facing Forward facing Convertible In all, an infant car seat is safest with backward facing. This kind of seat is made for protecting your baby’s head, neck, and spine from a crash. When shopping for a car seat, make sure it meets the needs of your child in terms of their age and size. Check the car seat Expiry Date and not make a quilt of using second hand seats that have been in an accident or one missing parts.
***Will you need to operate a heavy vehicle or machinery?
Before securing your car seat, you must familiarize yourself with the requirements and safety measures of your vehicle. LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) systems differ from vehicle to vehicle as do seat designs. The car seat needs to be compatible with your vehicle’s seat belt or LATCH system. The LATCH system tends to be quicker and also can allow for a safer installation, but it’s important to consult the weight limits of your vehicle’s built-in hardware. But, if your child is over these limits you will have to hold it in place with the seat belt on the vehicle. This is important as reading the instruction manuals for both the vehicle and car seat helps to install appropriately.
Good Practices for Installing
Incorrect installation could result in the car seat not working properly during a crash. The car seat should be tightly placed, meaning less than an inch of movement in any direction using the LATCH system or your vehicle’s seat belt. Rear-facing car seats require the correct recline angle (usually indicated by a level or line on, or in relation to, the installed child seat). If the recline angle is incorrect, your infant’s head can fall forward and block his or her airway.
If you are using the seatbelt, ensure that it is put in the correct belt path on your car seat and lock it off to remove any slack. If your car seat has a top tether, use the additional reinforcement. When in a rear-facing car seat, the harness should be at or below your child’s shoulders and snug enough that you cannot pinch any slack between your fingers.
### Consistent Monitoring and Tuning
Follow your infant car seat installation instructions, then routinely check and adjust it as needed. The correct holder’s straps and recline spot can help your child stay safe throughout their growth. Also, never forget to check the condition of a car seat regularly (frayed straps or cracks in the plastic). With use, the car seat can move a little from where it was originally fitted into place, particularly if you regularly remove and install it. Ensure the seat is always tightly installed and that all parts, such as harness components and the LATCH system are working properly.
### Avoid Common Mistakes
There are a number of easily made errors that when accumulated can reduce the security provided by an infant car seat. One of the most common mistakes is putting a car seat in the front passenger side next to us, between mum or dad and any airbag — if you have one. It is always recommended that children under age 12 sit in the back seat, as airbags can severely hurt or kill them if they deploy. And also make sure that while the child is in car seat they are not wearing any bulky clothing like winter coats. The harness can not be tightened as effectively when a child is wearing bulky clothing, which means the car seat would not perform optimally in a crash.
A more typical mistake is transitioning them over from a rear-facing car seat to one facing forward before its time. Rear facing is a good idea (I like to recommend until the child has outgrown as per manufacturer directions in height and weight), but it certainly would be less snarky of them just said rear face for x many lbs or y age. In a crash, the back-facing seat is best for supporting your child’s head and neck as well.
### Conclusion
Proper installation and use of an infant car seat is important to keep your child safe in the rare but often fatal event that a crash does occur. The right car seat, combined with knowledge of your vehicle’s specifications and proper installation techniques, along with regular checks to ensure the child is restrained as intended and protected from common misuses – all these can work together to substantially minimize injury. Remember — your baby’s safety is most important, and installing the car seat correctly will make a big difference in how well protected your child can be. Installing your car seat correctly will put you at ease and make every trip with your baby that much safer.
