Car Seats In the United States, more children
are injured in auto accidents than in any other type of
accident. However, from that first ride home from hospital
and throughout childhood, infants, toddlers, and
pre-schoolers can be protected by using some simple safety
measures and specifically designed car seats. Using the appropriate child-safety
seat -- fitted to your child's weight, size, and
age -- can reduce the risk of potentially fatal injuries
by 69% for babies under one year and by 47% for children
ages one to four. General Guidelines Until age 12, children should always
ride in the back seat with seat belts buckled. Air bags
present a serious danger to babies and children. Never place
a rear-facing infant seat in the front seat of a car that is
equipped with a passenger side airbag. The safest place is in the center of
the back seat, followed by the back seat behind the
passenger seat. Infant Seats -- newborn
to approximately 12 months and/or 20 lbs When installing the infant seat in
the back center, or behind the passenger seat, push down
on the seat with your knee to tighten the car's lab belt
through the safety slots. Try to pull on the seat and
push it from side to side. If the seat moves, the seat
belt should be tighter. Thread the shoulder straps through
the lowest harness slots to best protect your
baby Toddler Seats -- babies
20-40 lbs Shoulder straps should be threaded
through the top harness slots of the seat to accommodate
your child's growing height. All straps should fit
snugly, especially over the shoulder and thigh areas.
Straps should lie flat, never twisted. Readjust the harness straps as your
toddler grows. Adjust for different seasons as well since
a puffy winter coat will take up more space than summer
wear. Booster Seats -- 4-8
years/40-80 lbs Booster seats come with our without
shields and harnesses. For smaller children who may need
to be kept in their seats, a shield or harness can be a
good option. If your car does not have shoulder belts in
the back seat, use a model with a shield regardless of
the child's age. COMMON
CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES &
INFECTIONS |
YOUR
CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT
These infant-only seats are
designed to protect babies until they reach 20 lbs and
or/one year of age. Babies under one year should ride in
a rear-facing seat even if they weight more than 20 lbs
in order to provide maximum protection for the head and
neck.
After spending their first 9
months upside down and their next 12 months facing
backwards, toddlers can begin facing forward in their car
seats at one year of age.
Booster seats are designed
for children who have outgrown their toddler safety seats
but are still too small to be protected by seat belts.
Booster seats are recommended for children who weigh
between 40 and 80 lbs and who are less than four feet
nine inches tall. Children who cannot sit with their
backs straight against the vehicle seat back cushion,
with knees bent over vehicle's seat edge without
slouching, must use a booster seat They booster seats
function by raising a child up so the vehicle seat belts
can be used properly.
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