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Baby
Car Seats Safety - Frequently Asked Questions |
by:
Martin
Smith |
In this
article you will be provided with information
about baby car seats and keeping your baby
safe while in the car. There are tips for
buying new and used baby car seats. Answers
to some of the most asked questions about
car seats are provided as well.
Q. What is the best baby car seat?
The best car seat is the one that matches
your baby's size and weight. It also fits
properly in your car and is easily installed.
Q. What types of baby car seats are available?
There are several types of baby car seats
such as infant seats, front facing car seats,
and convertible seats. There are also combination
seats (can face front or rear), booster
seats and integrated car seats. With each
type of seat there are variations.
Q. Is a five-point harness or a shield safest
for my baby?
A five point harness gives your child the
greatest protection because it holds your
baby tighter in the seat in the event of
a crash. A T-Shield or over-the-head restraint
allows too much room or can get in the way
of chubby tummies and legs. The stalk of
the T-Shield can cause serious injury to
your baby.
Q. How can I find out how to safely install
my baby's car seat?
All car seats (except most second hand seats)
come with printed directions. If after reading
the directions you still are not sure how
to properly install it. You can call or
email the manufacturer. Some police stations
and hospitals have assistance programsas
well.
Q. Is there a correct way to secure my child
in the baby car seat?
Yes, there is a correct way in which to
secure your child in his car seat. How you
secure your baby in the car seat will likely
depend on the age and size of your baby.
For children under a year of age they should
be placed in rear-facing seats in the centerof
the rear seat. Older children can sit facing
front and their seat are generally placed
behind the driver or passenger in order
to utilize the shoulder/lap belts.
Q. What is LATCH?
LATCH refers to Lower Anchors and Tethers
for Children. It is a baby car seat installation
system. The lower hooks are attached between
the bottom of the back of the seat and seat
itself. The tether piece is a strap made
of seat belt material with a clip that secures
forward facing baby car seats and prevents
excessive movement of the baby's head in
crashes.
Q. What is a Tether?
The tether is a strap made of seat belt
material with a clip. It attaches to the
clips on the seat and secures front facing
baby car seats. In a crash it prevents excessive
movement of the seat and the baby's head,
reducing the severity of injuries.
Q. How can I tell when my child is ready
to use car seat belts without a booster
seat?
Your child will be ready for using the car
safety restraint system when s/he can sitall
the way back in the seat and the knees can
bend comfortably over the edge of the seat.
The belt crosses the shoulder between the
neck and the arm and the lap belt is low
and touches the thighs. Your child must
be able to remain seated the whole trip.
Q. Can a baby car seat be used safely in
an airplane?
Yes it can. Airlines require children age
2 and under, to be in approved car seats.
The seats must be 16 inches or less to fit
in the airplane seats. Call ahead and find
out ifyour seat is an approved seat. Once
on the plane, the hostess/es, will be able
to assistyou.
Q. Is it safe for me to use second-hand
baby car seats?
Yes it is safe to use second-hand baby car
seats provided you do a safety check. Belts
and harnesses should not be frayed or cracked.
There should be no cracks or tears in the
seat cover and the seat should recline easily
and stay upright when the baby is seated.
Look into the history of the seat, if it
has been in a car crash do not buy it, its
ability to safely restrain your child has
been compromised. If the seat doesn't come
with a manual contact the manufacturer to
ensure the seat will be properly installed.If
the seat is more than 5 years old do not
use it, it may have been in a crash and
older baby car seats may not fit in new
model cars.
Q. What should I do if my baby car seat
is recalled?
In most cases, the manufacturer will provide
you with instructions of what to do if baby
car seat is recalled. In some cases they
will replace it for free they will have
you bring it somewhere to get replacement
parts also at no cost to you.
Q. Are there baby car seats available for
children with special needs?
Children with special needs may require
different restraint systems. Discuss your
options with your pediatrician. Agencies
such as Easter Seals have programs and information
on baby car seats for special needs children.
Q. What is the best type of harness for
my baby car seat?
There are four types of harnesses in baby
car seats. The six-point harness has two
straps at the shoulders, two at the hips
and two at the crotch. The five-point harness
has two straps at the shoulders, two at
the hips and one at the crotch. The t-shield
is a padded triangle that latches at the
crotch while the overhead shield comes down
from over the head and latches at the crotch
also. The safest harnesses are the five
or six-point harnesses. These prevent excessive
movement of the baby in crash situations.
The t shield and the over-head shield allow
for too much room and could cause your baby
to be ejected from the car in a crash.
In Conclusion
You can never go wrong if you err on the
side of caution when it comes to your baby.
The size and weight of your baby as well
as your budget will decide what type of
seat you will purchase. This article has
provided you with a number of tips to keep
your baby safe while riding with you in
the car.
(c) www.1st-babies.com
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About the Author
Martin Smith is a successful freelance writer
providing advice for consumers on purchasing
a variety of Nursery Bedding which includes
Baby strollers, Baby car seats, and more!
His numerous articles provide a wonderfully
researched resource of interesting and relevant
information.
About the Author
About the Author
Martin Smith is a successful freelance
writer providing advice for consumers
on purchasing a variety of Baby
strollers,
Baby
car seats,
and more! His numerous articles provide
a researched resource of interesting and
relevant information. |
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