Car Seat Safety

I just read this article and found mistakes that even RESPONSIBLE parents could possible make when it comes to car seat safety.  I thought you might want to post it so that others may be aware.  Here are some of the points that I thought most responsible parents might not know.  And, below is the link to the whole article.

• Using an old or secondhand seat
  That safety seat you scored at a garage sale for a fraction of its original price tag may seem like a bargain, but it could cost your child his life. The same goes for that older-model seat your sister gave you after her child outgrew it.  If you must use a secondhand seat, make sure it has the original instructions (or contact the manufacturer for a replacement copy), has all its parts (check the manual), has never been involved in a serious accident, and hasn't been recalled.  In addition, to avoid the dangers of aging plastic, SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A. recommends sticking with car seats that are ideally less than five years old and definitely less than ten years old. You can usually find an expiration date stamped somewhere on the seat.
• Turning your child to face forward too soon
  Children have large heads and comparatively weak necks, so in a head-on collision (the most common type of crash) a child's head can jerk forward suddenly and violently, resulting in spinal injuries. For this reason, keep your child rear-facing position as long as possible.
• Moving your child out of his car seat or booster too soon
  Though safety-seat laws vary from state to state, all require that children under age 3 ride in a safety seat.  Your child should ride in a booster seat from the time he weighs 40 pounds and is at least 3 years old until he's 4 feet 9 inches tall and at least 8 years old.

To read full article, go to:

http://parentcenter.babycenter.com/0_the-biggest-car-safety-mistakes-parents-make-and-how-to-avoi_64875.pc?articleId=64875&showAll=true

 

Take Care!

Clara (Garzon)

 

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