If you know me, you know i'm passionate about keeping children safe. Whether it be in a car, at home, through what they eat etc... so it's no secret that as many fatal car accidents as there are per year, that I'd have a strong opinion about what children sit in while in a vehicle. Please read along for more info on how to ensure that your child is as safe as possible while in a vehicle.
When we found out we were pregnant, we were given lots of baby items from family. 1 infant car seat and 2 toddler seats, to name a few items. We were very thankful as we always hear children are expensive so getting anything we could, for free, was such a blessing. When you go down the registry checklist, there are lots of items under car seat that seem to be necessities; buckle straps, infant head support, infant neck support, mirrors, adaptors.... and as a new mommy, you scan them all if you're like me. Am I right?
Taking my son home from the hospital I had no idea how to put him into the car seat. You think its pretty self explanatory right? Buckle the top and the bottom and you're done. That's what I did for 3 months. I had no concern of whether or not the straps were tight enough, or if the buckles were in the right place... what is the 'right place' anyway? It wasnt until a friend shared with me the purpose of each buckle that I realized i'd been doing it all wrong, and in the meantime, putting my son's life at stake had we been in a crash.
Here is the info I was given but I will also provide links below for further references.
Chest Clip
The top buckle is actually called the "chest clip". It is supposed to be over the chest, imagine that! To be more specific right on top of the nipple area. The reasoning behind this is because this buckle's purpose is to protect the vital organs and the chest cavity in a crash. If it is at the level of the belly button, the vital organs are exposed and in a crash could mean fatal injuries.
Strap Level
There are multiple slits in the back of the car seat that determine where the straps come in from. These need to be AT OR BELOW the level of the babies shoulders. The problem with them being higher up is that if in a crash the straps are higher up than the shoulders, they will allow the baby to slip upwards in their seat. If lowered they will prevent the child from flying upward and allow the car seat to take the impact of the crash.
Head Rest and other additives
Any item that is added to the car seat that DID NOT come with the car seat is a void of warranty per the manual. I know this seems strange, why do they sell things to add to car seats, if they will void the warranty from the manufacturer? Every company wants to make money and lets face it, those cute fussy monkey straps make that car seat look so cute right? So when we dont know, we purchase them and use them.
Any head support cushion that didnt come with the car seat, if broken or in a crash, will void the warranty and per the manufacturer, will make the car seat unsafe.
Bulky Clothes
You should not have on any winter coats or anything other than a light jacket. Anything that you must loosen the straps in order to clip it, creates too much space and if in a crash, can allow the baby to actually be throw or slip out of the car seat altogether. Cover the baby with a blanket in the winter and put a jacket on once you arrive at your destination.
Loose Straps
Make sure the straps are tight against baby's body. If you can pinch the straps they are not tight enough. If in a crash, loose straps can allow baby to fly forward and cause internal decapitation and/or spinal and neck injuries.
And last but not least, Rear facing is the safest position for your child. The MINIMUM requirement for rear facing is 20#'s AND 1 year old. Your child must be BOTH over the age of 1 and over 20#'s. But, in a crash 100% of manufacturor's believe rear facing is the safest position to avoid head and neck injuries.
If you wish, watch the video below to see the story of Joel, an 18 month old who was in a crash while forward facing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8gU9zzCGA8
For more information on car seats check out the links below
http://www.parents.com/baby/safety/car/baby-car-seat-safety-check-avoid-common-mistakes/
http://dailymomtra.com/2011/03/30/the-picture-guide-to-car-seat-safety/
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