Arvizu: 5 Common Car Seat Mistakes 80% of Parents Make
Thursday, April 09, 2015
Chest Clip in Wrong Position
The chest clip should be at arm pit height, not too low (at the belly) and not too high. In the event of a crash, the harness is what keeps the child restrained. Making sure the chest clip is positioned correctly ensures the harness is in the right position to restrain the child.
Loose Install Or Harness
The car seat should not move more than an inch side to side at the belt path. If the seat moves more than that, it is not installed correctly and may not remain in place in the event of a crash. The harness itself should fit snug enough that you cannot pinch any slack at the shoulders. If you’re able to pinch the strap, the harness is not tight enough.
Rushing to the Next Step Too Early
Even if your child is bigger than average, it doesn’t mean their skeleton is structurally mature enough to handle the impact of a crash so it is very important to follow the guide below.
- Rear facing until at least two, but ideally for longer than that up to age four.
- Forward facing 5 point harness until the limit of the seat is reached, which is usually around age five
- Belt positioned booster until child reaches 4’9”
Used Car Seats
Buying a used car seat may save money, but it doesn’t always guarantee an accurate history of the car seat. Car seats, just like lots of things made of plastic, break down over time. Years of handling and travelling can wear on a car seat and affect the integrity of the product.
Asking the Wrong People for Advice
Most doctors, nurses, police and fire personnel have little to no car seat training so they may not be aware of the latest up to date safety recommendations. CPST’s like Louanne, have to re-certify every two years to make sure their car seat safety knowledge is current. Make sure your child’s car seat if safe and secure by talking to a CPST. UMASS is also hosting an open car seat checkpoint on Saturday, April 18th between 10am and 2pm at the Chuck E Cheese (50 Southwest Cut Off) in Worcester.
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