Car seat safety
Proper car seat use is vital to a child’s life. The types of car seat children should used is based on different factors: the child’s age, size and make of the car. Car seats made after September 1, 2002 offer a LATCH system. The LATCH system includes lower anchors located in the seat of the car where the seat cushions meet and two car seat attachments that connect to the anchors. The other way car seats are attached is with the seat belt. It is important that the seat belt locks if this method is chosen.
Types of Car Seats
Rear Facing Car Seats
The safest place for a car seat to be placed is in the middle back if the child is younger than 13 years of age. It is also recommended that all infants and toddlers ride rear-facing until at least 2 years of age or until they have reached the maximum height and weight recommendation allowed by the car seat manufacturer (Healthy Children, 2016). There are a few types of rear facing car seats available. The first is rear-facing only, which are used for infants up to 22 to 40 pounds depending on the car seat. The second is a convertible car seat which can be used rear facing and then converted to forward facing when indicated. These have a 5-point harness that attach the shoulders at the hips and between the legs. The third type of car seat is a 3-in-1. These can be used rear facing, forward facing and as a belt positioned booster. The convenience of the second two car seats is they provide more use for the child, but they are usually bulkier and do not have the convenience of a carrying handle for infants.
Here are a few tips for using a rear facing car seat:
·
Place the
shoulder harness slightly below the babies armpit level
·
Ensure the
harness is snug (you should not be able to pinch and slack in the harness, use pinch test shown in figure)
·
Make sure the
car seat is attached tightly with either the seat belt or LATCH method
·
Never place a
rear facing car seat in the front seat
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Winter-Car-Seat-Safety-Tips.aspx
Forward-facing car seats should be used for any child who has outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit. There are five types of forward-facing car seat restraints:
- Convertible seats: convertible and 3-in-1 car seat
- Forward-facing—only seats: forward facing with a harness for children weighing up to 40-80 pounds depending on the car seat. Manufacturers are not currently making these car seats anymore.
- Combination seats with harness: Seats used forward facing with or without a harness based on weight.
- Built-in seats: Some cars provide a built-in forward-facing seat. Weight limits vary based on the car but children should not use these until at least two years old.
- Travel vest: Vests worn by children between 20 and 120 pounds. These are useful when cars have the lap only seat belts
Children who outgrow their forward-facing car seat should then use booster seats. Booster seats are indicated for children until the child has reached 4 feet 9 inches. All children should ride in the backseat until 13 years old.
References
Rear-Facing Car Seats for
Infants & Toddlers. (2017, July 18). Retrieved October 09, 2017, from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Rear-Facing-Car-Seats-for-Infants-Toddlers.aspx
Car Seats: Information for
Families. (2017, July 18). Retrieved October 09, 2017, from
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Car-Safety-Seats-Information-for-Families.aspx