Ever since I became a mom, I’ve been absorbing so much more new information on how to keep my kid safe. I feel like I need share these stats as a public service announcement.
The stats are alarming:
3/4 of car seats were used or installed incorrectly
https://www.cpsac.org/
1/3 kids in booster seats did not meet the 40 pound weight minimum
1/2 kids in seat belts did not fit safely without a booster seat
What does this mean? It means that 75% of the car seats out there are not used correctly. In an event of a collision, your child might not be properly restrained to provide them the adequate protection they need.
How can we ensure our children are safe every time?
Choosing the right car seat for you
It starts off with your child. Based on age, height and weight.
Check ease of use ratings. After my research, I learned that the right seat for you, is one that you can install easily and correctly each time.
You can check both on the NHTSA website – it’s a US website, but as Canadians, I think it would still be applicable and value to take a look at as part of your research.
Try out the car seat in store. Make sure it is compatible and fits in your car. It’s also a good idea to get a general idea of how to install the car seat – for both rear-facing and forward-facing (if looking for a convertible or all-in-one car seat). If it’s too difficult for you to install correctly, look at alternative carseats.
Properly use of your car seat
Read your instruction manual AND your car’s owner’s manual.
Who really reads manuals anyways? This is probably the one time you should sit down and read it. There’s so many technical nuances that is not common knowledge to the everyday person. Take the time to read the manual and understand it before using the car seat.
Some things to watch out for:
- Compatibility with car seat and car
- Weight specified for UAS in vehicle’s owners manual
- Use of UAS and Seat Belt
- Weight and height limits – how to tell when child has outgrown the seat
Work with a Tech for Installation
I found a tech located near me through the CPSAC website. I contacted our tech via text and she was able to come to my home for the installation. The appointment was approximately 1 hour, and it’s best to have your child present.
Find a tech near you: https://www.cpsac.org/
Even though you’re working with a tech, I still highly recommend that you read your manual and ask questions if you feel like the information contradicts what you’ve learnt.
Lessons Learnt:
When I was searching car seats, I wanted one with the most safety features. But after learning this stat, I realized that it’s more important to choose a car seat that is easy for you to install and for you to install it correctly each time.
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