My sister refers to me as the Carseat Nazi, lol, but she's pretty right.
I'm a big carseat safety freak. And I have good reason to be, its the leading cause of death in children of all ages. And 80% of people have their carseats installed incorrectly. I don't know everything about carseats. But I do know that you should only be able to fit a finger in between your child's harness and his/her collarbone. If its looser than that then in an accident your child would not be nearly as safe. Another thing is when you install the carseat, make sure it cant move from side to side more than an inch. If it moves more than that than once again your child isn't very safe. I see so many moms with their babies in the carseat carriers with the straps so loose they can have their favorite stuffed animal under the harness with them, that's just so scary! I think that in childbirth classes they should teach carseat safety. I have no idea why they don't. I do everything I can to make sure my carseats are in the car as safely as possible, and if I have a concern, I go to a carseat specialist, which you can usually find at any highway patrol. Don't be afraid, they aren't looking to bust anyone, they will be glad you came for help. Just make sure you ask for the carseat specialist. Highway patrolmen all know some about carseat safety, but only the specialist will know the most correct and up to date information.
Another thing is the carseats are best in the middle, that way if there is a collision on either side of your car your baby is right in the middle. Now of course that cant always happen. I have 2 kids and both have to be on the side because the middle doesn't have enough room. So if you are in that predicament, you should have your youngest on the passengers side. That's the least impacted side.
And you shouldn't buy carseats used, once they have been in an accident the plastic is never the same. And dont buy a carseat more than 5 yrs old. The newer ones you can have for 6 yrs. I didn't know this when I bought my first borns first carseat. I bought it used from a yard sale. And right now I have 2 used carseats from someone who was giving them away. They are my extras. It wasn't from a used baby store (they don't go by the law at all a lot of times) it was from another mom, and I trusted her word that they have never been in an accident
My sons preschool gets all the up to date laws on carseat safety, and at the parent meeting on Monday they gave us the new laws.
It is now illegal for any child under 6 yrs old to be in the front seat of a car, and illegal for any child under 12 w/ an airbag to be in the front seat.
My sister reminded me that if you have a child over 1 yr and over 20 lbs, but have no backseat, or carseat doesnt fit on back seat, you have jumpseats, etc, then it is ok to have the child in the front, but only if you have no other options, otherwise its still illegal. But not if your child is under 1 yr or 20 lbs, then its still illegal, they are not allowed in the front seat under any circumstances.
Its also now illegal to smoke in the car with a child under 6 in the car (I think this one is awesome!!)
And its illegal to leave a child under 12 in the car alone. Its also illegal for a child over 12 to be alone in the car with a child under 12. They all have to be over 12 yrs old.
It was nice to get the new laws. I try and keep updated on them. I wish there was a flyer you could prescribe to, lol.
Oh, and your baby should stay rear facing till 20lbs and 1 yr old.
Always read your carseat owners manual before installing your carseat. Read the whole thing. I have even had to go back and read things because I forget. But any highway patrolmen will say to follow what your owners manual says before you follow what they say, as every carseat is different. If you do your best to make sure your carseat is installed 100% correctly, then if there is an accident, atleast you know you did your best to keep your baby safe in his/her carseat.
This isn't to offend anyone, I just wanted to share my views on carseats and maybe help other moms that don't know all of this.
Hope you found it informative :)
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4 comments:
LOL, did i call you that? i don't remember, but i could see myself doing that. as you know i am also big on carseat safety and went to the hwy patrol webpage and accredited sites, not sure if you are aware but thought i would add that the sites said that if your back seat cannot hold the carseat properly (ex: being to short) then it is safer for them to be in the front, even if there is an airbag (just move seat all the way back). there was something else but i can't remember it LOL. but the one i told you about is the one that stuck in my brain, because that happens with trucks a lot.
Love ya you carseat nazi.
I'm so proud of you. Have I told you the story about my nephew Justin? He was 15 months old when he and his mom were hit by a train. They both survived because they were both strapped in properly. My sister in law is another Car Seat Nazi and thank goodness for that.
the front seat thing is only for children older then 1yr and weighing more then 20lbs
Wow, it is great that you are so informed about car seats. When sending NICU babies home I often see parents who have NO IDEA about car seats. It is scary becuase you know what you tell them about safety, they will forget by the time they are home!
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