Rebornne Baby. American Baby
Rebornne Baby. American Baby
car
seats
features
quizzes experts
Find out which car seat or booster
is right for your child, based on your child's age, weight, and
size. More than half of car seats are installed incorrectly, risking
children's lives. Make sure yours is doing its job.
features
8
Common Car Seat Mistakes
Don't make these
mistakes when installing baby's car seat.
Car
seats aren't as easy to use as they may seem. According to safety
experts, here's where most parents go wrong:
1. Child is turned face-forward too early. Babies must ride facing
the rear until they are at least 1 year old and weigh 20 pounds--preferably
longer.
2. Seat isn't installed tightly enough. When jiggled in the area where
the safety belt is pulled through, the chair should not move more
than 1 inch in any direction.
3. Harness straps
are too loose. The straps should be tightened so that slack can't
be pinched between an adult's thumb and forefinger.
4. Infant seat angled incorrectly. It must be reclined just enough
so the child doesn't flop forward, but no more than 45 degrees from
vertical. If he is positioned at more than that, he could be thrown
out between the straps headfirst.
5. Harness straps are in wrong slots. In the rear-facing position,
straps should be in slots at or just below the shoulder. In forward-facing
position, straps should come through the uppermost slots (unless a
particular car seat's instructions specify otherwise).
6. Harness retainer clip is out of place. It should be at child's
armpit level.
7. Locking clip is out of place. If needed, it should be positioned
no more than 1 inch from the safety-belt latch.
8. Safety belt isn't in locked mode. Check vehicle's owner manual
to determine what type of belts you have. Then follow directions regarding
how they must be used with a child-safety restraint.
Your
should know:
The
information on this Web site is designed for educational purposes
only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical
advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose
or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your
pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any
questions or concerns you might have regarding your or your child's
condition.
