Messy car seat covers

Babies and messes go hand in hand. But some manufacturers ignore this universal truth, and a surprising number of car seats come with pad covers that you can’t take off. Be smart: Buy one with a machine-washable detachable cover.

Car seat fact

Did you know 98% of car seats are installed incorrectly?

Choosing a proper car seat

Avoid car seats that require you to adjust the buckle from the back of the seat. The better car seats allow you to make adjustments from the front and have raised belt slots for buckling ease.

hand-me-down equipment safety tip

Make sure that used or hand-me-down equipment, such as car seats, strollers and cribs haven’t been recalled for safety reasons.

Child seat tip

Many companies offer thick car seat covers that act like a bunting for babies in the winter.

Parents should avoid buying any car seat cover or infant bunting that threads through the harness straps of their child’s car seat. Often the packaging of these covers states that the product meets all federal car seat safety guidelines. However, there are no federal guidelines governing after-market car seat accessories.

Car Seat Tip

Ensure that the car seats does not move more than an inch in any direction. See your car seat’s owners manual to determine what can be done about it, if they move more than that.

Car Seat Buying Guide

The American Academy of Pediatrics has one of the most comprehensive buying guides complete with a side by side comparison of the major brands on the market.

Car Seats on Flights

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends the use of car seats in an aircraft for children less than 40 pounds. Car seats can usually be checked in at the gate as can be strollers. However it is best to check with your airline regarding their policy, including how they regard extra carry on luggage for your child.

Thick coats and child seats.

Parents everywhere bring out their babies’ winter coats or snowsuits to keep baby warm during travel. However, thick winter coats or snowsuits can compromise your child’s car seat safety.

In order for a baby car seat or toddler booster seat to function properly, the straps need to remain tight against the child’s chest.

Car Seats

Infant-toddlers should remain in a rear facing car seat until they reach 1 year of age AND 20 pounds. Till infant-toddlers reach both of these milestones, they are not developmentally ready to be placed in a forward facing car seat.
From: ezinearticles.com

Car seat safety

Place your baby in a car safety seat every time he rides in the car.

The safest place for his safety seat is in the back seat of the car. Children who are less than one year OR are less than 20 pounds should be placed in a rear-facing care seat.

From: cdc.gov.

Tags: ,

Car seat placement

The safest place for your child’s car seat is the back seat, away from active air bags. If the car seat is placed in the front seat and the air bag inflates, it could hit the back of a rear-facing car seat.

From: mayoclinic.com Opens in new window