Car Seats

[Danielle]

Car seat safety is a huge passion of mine. So, I partnered with my friend who's a car seat safety tech and wrote a 4 part blog project. I'm very excited about this. Please read and pass on.

Here's the first part. There are links to the other three parts at the bottom.

http://mamamusingsblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/car-seat-basics-part-1.html

[greenhouse]

Latch

Danielle-My car is older (no LATCH system)-when I turned the seat to front facing it did not seem secure enough despite following instructions exactly. It still slid around. We ended up using BOTH lap belts to tighten it in place. Now my step daughter can not ride in my car since sitting in the front is not safe for her yet. Does it sound like my car is the issue or the car seat? (or me)

[Unregistered]

I had our local Sheriff's deputy (whose in charge of car seat safety) show me in our older vehicle at the time (no LATCH system). According to them, you need to be sure that the car seat fits in the vehicle. If it fits the seat, the deputy actually kneeled with all weight actually into the car seat's seat and then tightened the belt - it was completely tightened and didn't move at all and I was shocked by how much the seat gives into the cushion that prevents tightening if you don't kneel into it. I've never had a loose car seat since - have to recheck it though to keep it tight, but it takes 5 seconds to retighten. Hope this helps.

[DCMomOf3]

If it fits the seat, the deputy actually kneeled with all weight actually into the car seat's seat and then tightened the belt - it was completely tightened and didn't move at all and I was shocked by how much the seat gives into the cushion that prevents tightening if you don't kneel into it.

This is the ONLY way i'll install a car seat. With full adult body weight applied to the seat while tightening the seatbelt or latch.

[greenhouse]

I had our local Sheriff's deputy (whose in charge of car seat safety) show me in our older vehicle at the time (no LATCH system). According to them, you need to be sure that the car seat fits in the vehicle. If it fits the seat, the deputy actually kneeled with all weight actually into the car seat's seat and then tightened the belt - it was completely tightened and didn't move at all and I was shocked by how much the seat gives into the cushion that prevents tightening if you don't kneel into it. I've never had a loose car seat since - have to recheck it though to keep it tight, but it takes 5 seconds to retighten. Hope this helps.

this helps-thanks

[DCMomOf3]

Danielle-My car is older (no LATCH system)-when I turned the seat to front facing it did not seem secure enough despite following instructions exactly. It still slid around. We ended up using BOTH lap belts to tighten it in place. Now my step daughter can not ride in my car since sitting in the front is not safe for her yet. Does it sound like my car is the issue or the car seat? (or me)

Only one belt to secure a seat, it provides too much stress on the points where the seat is attached to the car if you have two. Sit/kneel in the chair, push down HARD while tightening the belt. With leather seats you have to make it extra tight.

[Symphony]

That is a great post!

I would add that the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends keeping children rearfacing to at least 2 years old.

Here is a link to determine if your child is ready to move to a booster...

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=38893

Here is a link for the 5 step test for kids to move out of their boosters...

http://www.carseat.org/Boosters/630.htm

[LindaMJ]

Danielle and Symphony, thanks so much for the info.

[SilverSabre25]

Excellent series; I have been thinking of writing up something similar, myself. With your permission, I would like to link your blog post to my daycare website in my "Parent Resources" section--I've been wanting to add a car seat safety page.

Now...does anyone have a magic way to get parents to listen and change their horribly unsafe car seat usage?

Edit: I've actually been thinking about getting certified as a CPST so that I have something that might help parents to believe me when I tell them that their car seat practice is unsafe

[Danielle]

I had our local Sheriff's deputy (whose in charge of car seat safety) show me in our older vehicle at the time (no LATCH system). According to them, you need to be sure that the car seat fits in the vehicle. If it fits the seat, the deputy actually kneeled with all weight actually into the car seat's seat and then tightened the belt - it was completely tightened and didn't move at all and I was shocked by how much the seat gives into the cushion that prevents tightening if you don't kneel into it. I've never had a loose car seat since - have to recheck it though to keep it tight, but it takes 5 seconds to retighten. Hope this helps.

This! I always kneel in carseats when installing them. It's amazing how much tighter it makes them.

Only one belt to secure a seat, it provides too much stress on the points where the seat is attached to the car if you have two. Sit/kneel in the chair, push down HARD while tightening the belt. With leather seats you have to make it extra tight.

Very true!

That is a great post!

I would add that the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends keeping children rearfacing to at least 2 years old.

Here is a link to determine if your child is ready to move to a booster...

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=38893

Here is a link for the 5 step test for kids to move out of their boosters...

http://www.carseat.org/Boosters/630.htm

Thanks for the input!

Excellent series; I have been thinking of writing up something similar, myself. With your permission, I would like to link your blog post to my daycare website in my "Parent Resources" section--I've been wanting to add a car seat safety page.

Now...does anyone have a magic way to get parents to listen and change their horribly unsafe car seat usage?

Edit: I've actually been thinking about getting certified as a CPST so that I have something that might help parents to believe me when I tell them that their car seat practice is unsafe

By all means, yes!! Please link to it where every you'd like. When I get abit more computer time, I'll be sharing it on all the facebook parenting pages that I have "liked".

Unfortunately, many parents won't listen. I always mention mistakes when I see them though. And their kids' seats are always properly installed in my car. I'm currently trying to figure out a way to get a 5-point harness seat to use with my 4 year old dcg. Mom thinks a booster is just fine...dcg is not ready!

Next chance I get, I'm getting certified. It won't make a difference to some but it may to others.