Child Safety Seat Checklist

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, automobile crashes are the number one killer of children from 1 to 12 years old. A car seat that is not used correctly may not properly protect your child in the event of an accident. You might think that more expensive car seats are safer, but the truth is that all car seats are regulated by the NHTSA, and the best seat is one that is used appropriately.

  1. Used Seats

    • Safe NY reports that safety advocates advise against buying a used car seat. It's not possible to tell if the seat has been damaged, if it has been in an accident or if there are missing parts. There is also a chance that the seat could have been recalled in the past. If you insist on using a previously owned seat, ensure that you have the entire history of the seat and verify with the manufacturer that it has not been recalled. Look up a copy of the user's manual to verify that all parts are still intact and not chipped, rusty or frayed.

    Direction

    • The child safety seat you use should be able to be used rear-facing. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents keep their child rear-facing until at least 2 years old, and longer if the seat has a higher weight limit. Dr. Dennis Durbin, lead author of the AAP's revised car-seat safety recommendations, advises that rear-facing child safety seats do a better job of supporting the head, neck and spine of infants and toddlers in a crash, because they spread the force of the collision over the child's entire body. Manufacturers now make seats that can rear-face longer than ever, with some supporting children who weigh up to 40 pounds or more.

    Height and Weight

    • Ensure that your child meets both the height and weight requirements for the seat and the way that it is being used. Some car seats are designed to be rear-facing, others are strictly forward-facing and convertible seats can be used in both directions. However, the height and weight limits change depending on which way the seat faces. Check the owner's manual for the specific instructions for your particular model of seat. If you've misplaced it, you can typically find a copy on the manufacturer's website or call the request another copy.

    Installation

    • The seat needs to be properly installed using either the built-in safety belts or the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system, but not both at once. Use whichever installation method is easiest for you, and if you're unsure of anything, you can typically visit your local police or fire station to have them check it over.

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