Age Groups of Childrens Safety in Car Seats

By Sandy Maseko

Safety is a priority with parents, and this is reflected in the amount of time and money they are willing to spend on a car seat for their child. With all the well-meaning intentions in place, it is still unfortunate that many parents - at least 79.5 percent of them - incorrectly use a child safety seat, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Through the wrong use of safety restraints, many children are actually put in potential harm by otherwise well meaning parents. The most common mistakes found were loose harness straps and safety belt attachments. These mistakes, the ones that almost every parent makes, are the ones that the NHTSA say can be the most 'critical.'

The three most important areas that must absolutely be paid due attention when picking a safety seat for your baby are: the baby's weight, the baby's age, and positioning the seat correctly. For example, if your baby is larger than 20 pounds or older than one year, they should not be put in a rear-facing car seat. These tiny seats are custom-designed for newborns; after all, they wrap around him or her tightly and allow the parent the ease of carrying the child wherever they need to go. Infant car seats should always be used in the back seat, as should all child safety restraints, and only in the rear-facing position.

Instead of an infant-only seat, many parents choose convertible seats which they can use as the child grows. Unlike infant-only car seats, these types of seats are typically difficult to navigate because they need to be heavier so that the baby can grow into them. Convertibles should also be placed in the rear-facing position for infants under 20 pounds and younger than a year. You can go ahead and place any child that is 20-40 pounds in a front-facing position. It doesn't matter which seat you choose for the child; what does matter is that you use it correctly. You will find it easier to do so if you read all the important parts of your vehicle owner guide and the instruction that came with your safety seat.

Two sets of buckles must be snapped correctly for the car seat to function as designed: those holding the baby in place and those holding the car seat in place. Harness straps seem to be an area of particular difficulty for parents; for your baby's safety, the harness must be in the correct slot position and fitted snugly to your baby's chest. If you have an infant-only car seat, make sure the straps go into slots below the baby's shoulders, for convertibles, the slots should go in above. Always untwist your child's harness strap, slip the harness clip to about the armpit level, and double check your owner's manual for precise placement.

The path of the safety belt depends upon the position you have it in, so make sure your path is correct, and tilt your seat back at about a 45 degree angle. For added security, a rolled up towel under the base helps. After installing the towel, tighten the safety belt. Many cars have LATCH systems; for those considerations, consult your vehicle and car seat owner guides. You should also consider the seat's age and condition. Don't use a seat that is more than five years old or does not come with the manufacturer's instructions. If you suspect your seat has been in an accident or is missing parts, it is better to be safe than sorry and do not buy it.

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