WHY do some people not use car seats/boosters?!?!?
Mar 17 '01
The Bottom Line It is IMPERATIVE to use a car seat or booster seat for your child. Find the nearest car seat check and GO!!! Your childs life may depend on it.
I am noticing a HUGE problem in this day and age. The problem is parents NOT using a car seat or a booster seat for their child or children. What is even MORE irritating is seeing the parents safely buckled up while they blatantly have no regard for the safety of their children.
With all we know today, I cannot believe people think it is ok to not use a child safety seat or a booster seat.
First of all, my husband is a career firefighter and just recently became a Certified Car Seat Technician. What he has seen in his career is both sad and disturbing. Many times he tells me a child would have either survived a collision or been less injured. What is also very disturbing is just how many car seats and booster seats are installed incorrectly. Just recently, our local fire department had it's first car seat check and out of 73 seats that they inspected that day, only 3 were installed correctly!!!! Isn't that scary to you? Think about it, you are more likely to have your children's safety seats installed incorrectly than correctly, a mistake that can cause serious injuries or be fatal.
Many problems were easily corrected. Other problems that were noted were things like recalled seats being used, straps not tight enough, car seats that were too old to be used and lack of a child being in a car seat or booster. It amazes me that we as parents read all the child rearing/parenting books and magazines to make sure we are doing things "right" but when it comes to car seat safety, many are just downright clueless.
Personally, I see many people who have a lack of good judgement every day. Several times I have noticed a parent put a child who is obviously less than 4 years old and 40 lbs (the current requirement in my state, California) in nothing but a regular seat belt. Now they may think they are "doing right" by buckling that child in, but do they realize that their child has very little protection in a collision? Or how about the parents who don't use a car seat or booster because they are just "running up to the store". My husband tells me that most accidents happen 5 miles from your own home.
One more thing, NEVER put a child in the front seat of any vehicle that has passenger side air bags. Many small children have been killed in minor traffic accidents because they have been in the front seat when a passenger side airbag is activated. This holds true for infant, rear facing car seats too. Our minivan clearly states that no child under the age of 13 be allowed to ride in the front passenger seat. Also, please don't buy a used car seat no matter how good it looks. It may have been in an accident and could be defective and not work properly in a collision.
I urge all of you to find a car seat check in your area. Call your fire department, local highway patrol or even the local hospitals to find out where a check is being held. It may be one of the most important things you ever do. Isn't your child's life worth it?
For more information PLEASE visit www.buckleupbaby.org/links.htm for some links to valuable information regarding infant car seats, convertible car seats, boosters and more.
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Epinions.com ID:
mcangell
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Member: Michelle
Location: Northern California
Reviews written: 91
Trusted by: 84 members
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