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If you have children, read this!!!!Oct 26 '01 Write an essay on this topic.
Popular Products in Car Seats
The Bottom Line Read the directions for the car seat, AND your vehicle's owners manual
Well, it been awhile since I have written a review on haw to install a child restraint. But I figured it is important enough to rewrite, because there have been some changes recently. I also want to add that I am now an Instructor in Child Passenger Safety (CPS). I realize that there is a lot here, but this is very important. When 85% to 100% of the seats I have seen are incorrectly installed, and some epinions have made suggestions that could kill a child, I feel it is important to reiterate the correct way to install a child seat. I first want to say that this epinion will not be an all-encompassing article on how to install your particular seat. You should contact your local state police barracks, sheriff's office, police department, or health department for specific help. Additionally, please do not think that, since someone took a 3 or 4 hour course, that they know what they are doing. The standardized certification course I teach is 32 hours long!! And everyone says that it is not long enough. Newly certified technicians are still new, and do not have the valuable hand-on practice in the field. First, you have to choose a seat. The best one is the seat that that fits your car, and your child, and one that you will use every time, correctly! A $200 seat, may not fit you vehicle as well as a seat that cost $50. Price does not indicate a better seat, it just means it is more expensive. Now that you have the seat, READ THE DIRECTIONS! Second, you have to choose which direction to face the child. Current guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) are being revised to say that children should remain rear facing (RF) FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. This may mean the child stays rear facing until 35 pounds. Most European countries leave their kids rear facing until age 3. -For Rear Facing: -NEVER, EVER put a rear facing seat in front of an air bag. If you have an on/off switch (pick ups), use it; -Check the vehicle owner's manual for the type of seat belt you have. You may have to pull the seat belt all the way out, or you may have to add a locking clip (the little piece of metal that came with your seat; -put the seat belt through the belt path. Make sure that it is the belt path for RF. Some seat have 2 or more belt paths; -Tighten the seat belt, put your weight in to it, you may need a partner. The seat should not move more than one inch at the belt path. If you have a convertible seat, do not use the tether unless required in the owner's manual (there is only one that does, Britax Roundabout); -The seat back should be between 30 and 45 degrees from vertical. 45 for younger kids. This angle helps to keep the head up, and the airway open. If the angle is too upright, the infants head could fall forward, cutting off the airway, and killing the child. If you can't get a good angle, use foam pool noodles (Wal-mart/Target have them) and cut them down to size. You can also use a tightly rolled towel. DO NOT USE ANYTHING ELSE BUT THESE TWO. DO NOT USE WOOD, PIPES, NEWSPAPER OR ANYTHING ELSE!!! -The harness straps for the child should be at or below the shoulders!! The straps should be snug and flat, no more than one finger width at the collar bone. For Forward Facing: The procedure is pretty much the same. Children should not use the harnesses once the reach 40 lbs unless the owner's manual says you can (only one seat, Futura 20/60, which is no longer made); -Check the owners manual to figure out what to do with the seat belt. You may have to pull it all the way out, or you may have to use a locking clip (little piece of metal that cam with the seat), or you may not have to do anything at all; -Put the seat belt through the correct belt path, it should be marked; -Put your weight in to the seat, and tighten the seat belt. You may need a partner; -The seat should not more more than one inch at the belt path; -If you seat has a tether, and your car has the tether bolts installed, use it! Make sure you tighten the tether (you can get a retro kit from the dealer, and they can install the kit); -The harness straps should be at or above the child's shoulders. Some seat are only reinforce in the top slot, and using the lower slots could result in death in the event of a crash. The straps would actually pull the shell of the seat apart. Do's and don't for both rear and forward facing: The harness straps should be flat, and snug. No more than one finger width at the collar bone. The child should be one with the seat, the seat should be one with the car; The harness retainer clip (the little plastic clip) should be positioned at armpit level, and threaded the same on both sides; Check the seat periodically for tightness; Check the seat for recalls (www.nhtsa.dot.gov or www.safetyalerts.com). You can also call the manufacturer. Do Not use anything that did not come with the seat. This includes retractable sun shades, head rolls that also have a pad under the child, mighty-tite, toys, light or anything else attached to the seat. If it came in the box, it's ok; Do not use any seat more that 6 years old; Do not use a seat purchased second hand (yard sales, flea markets, friends etc); Do not use a child seats or seat belts that has been in a crash, it may have formed mini-fractures that you can't see, but could cause the car seat to fail. Seat belts should also be replaced, because they will stretch in a crash, but they may not stretch in a second crash; I hope this has helped. If you have any questions, or need additional help, please feel free to contact me  |
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