Do you use your child’s car seat correctly?
It is estimated that a staggering 75% of all car seats for children are installed incorrectly – that is a big amount! Are you one of those people who halfheartedly installed the car seat in your car? This can pose a huge danger to your child. To help you getting on the right track, here are our top six tips for installing a children’s car seat to keep your child out of harm’s way.
1. Always, always read the manual. Maybe you don’t read the manual when it comes to the new blender or television, but you can’t skip it when it comes to things like car seats. Unless you have done it before – rather read the manual to ensure you do it correctly. To be even more safe, read both your vehicle owner’s manual and the car seat manual from the manufacturer.
2. Be cautious with borrowed or second-hand car seats. If you have borrowed it from someone, check the seat carefully and look out for things such as wearing and tearing, if the harness is working correctly and if it has a properly working buckle.
3. It is oh-so important to choose an age-appropriate seat. You may be unaware, but car seats are made to fit children at specific ages and heights. If a child weighs less than about 10 kg, they should always travel in a rear-facing car seat. Toddlers who weigh between 10-20 kg and are about one-year-old should ride in a forward-facing seat. Older kids should use a booster seat until the age of 8. And remember, children under age 13 should never ride in the front passenger seat as they’re always safest in the backseat. If a front seat airbag deploys it could cause serious injury – even to small-framed adults.
4. Rather be safe than sorry and avoid using car seats that have been in an accident and never use a car seat that is more than seven years old.
5. Keep the straps tight (but not too tight, obviously). The straps should be tight enough so you can only fit one finger between the child and the straps. Even if your child throws a tantrum, don’t give in and loosen the straps as the result could be deadly in a collision. All straps should lie flat against the child’s body and the chest clip should be positioned at the child’s armpit level.
6. Lastly, it is also important to secure lose objects in your car. Make sure all objects are stored as even an umbrella or a water bottle could be very hazardous in an accident towards a small child or a baby.