Belt Up

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by: VivienneMyatt
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Parents go out of their way to choose the right car seat for their baby, they spend significant time and money to protect their most precious cargo. Yet, in a recent study, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that, according to a multi-year study, misuse occurred in 79.5 percent of the child safety seats inspected. Through the wrong use of safety restraints, many children are actually put in potential harm by otherwise well meaning parents.

By failing to properly use the safety restraints, the study reports, many parents unknowingly put their child in peril. The most common mistakes found were loose harness straps and safety belt attachments. These mistakes, the ones that almost every parent makes and are the ones that the NHTSA report as being the most "critical".

Always use the correct seat for your baby's age and weight and in the correct position. Children who weigh less than 20 pounds and younger than one year of age can ride in a rearward-facing car seat. Seats that are specially designed for infants are smaller and they fit more tightly around the baby. For your child's protection, always place the infant only car seat in the back seat and always make sure it is positioned facing the rear.

Convertible seats allow the safety seat to grow with the child. As can be expected, the convertible style of car seat is larger, to accommodate growth, and not as portable. If the child is young and small enough to meet the requirements for an infant-only seat, however, you can give him or her extra protection of facing him in a rear-facing position. Children should be placed in a forward facing seat once they reach the recommended age and weight threshold, and should stay in one until they weigh 40 pounds.

It is of the utmost importance that every parent should know how to use whichever seat they pick. There are two reading pieces that should help you learn how to do use the seat properly: the manufacturer guide that came with the seat and your own car's vehicle guide. Remember to double check the buckle that straps in the car seat and the restraints that hold the baby in place.

Many parents get frustrated having to use harness straps, but they do need to fit around baby's chest tightly and correctly and connect in the appropiate slot. If strapping the harness into a slot position in a convertible, the relevant slots are above or at the shoulder; if using an infant car seat, the appropriate place is below. Parents should check their owner's manual to confirm placement, and they should make sure that the harness clip is at the same level as the baby's armpits, and double check that no straps of the harness are twisted.

All seats should be reclined by 45 degrees if possible and the seat belt should be followed through the right path for the position of the seat. A rolled towel under the base helps secure the seat into position. Tighten the seat belt, as needed, to ensure the restraint is secured to your vehicle. For LATCH systems and car seats, consult your owner's guide and safety seat instruction manual. Other important facts to keep in mind are the general seat age and condition. Don't use a seat that is more than five years old or does not come with the manufacturer's instructions. Along with the owner's manual, your seat should have all its parts, and should have never been involved in any type of car accident.

About the Author

Read this alarming article by Vivienne Myatt and discover if your child is in danger. Discover how you keep your child safe. Also, see how subscribers to her newsletter save money every month. Her blogs are visited by mums and moms everywhere.

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<h1>Belt Up</h1> <p> Parents go out of their way to choose the right car seat for their baby, they spend significant time and money to protect their most precious cargo. Yet, in a recent study, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that, according to a multi-year study, misuse occurred in 79.5 percent of the child safety seats inspected. Through the wrong use of safety restraints, many children are actually put in potential harm by otherwise well meaning parents.<br /><br />By failing to properly use the safety restraints, the study reports, many parents unknowingly put their child in peril. The most common mistakes found were loose harness straps and safety belt attachments. These mistakes, the ones that almost every parent makes and are the ones that the NHTSA report as being the most "critical".<br /><br />Always use the correct seat for your baby's age and weight and in the correct position. Children who weigh less than 20 pounds and younger than one year of age can ride in a rearward-facing car seat. Seats that are specially designed for infants are smaller and they fit more tightly around the baby. For your child's protection, always place the infant only car seat in the back seat and always make sure it is positioned facing the rear.<br /><br />Convertible seats allow the safety seat to grow with the child. As can be expected, the convertible style of car seat is larger, to accommodate growth, and not as portable. If the child is young and small enough to meet the requirements for an infant-only seat, however, you can give him or her extra protection of facing him in a rear-facing position. Children should be placed in a forward facing seat once they reach the recommended age and weight threshold, and should stay in one until they weigh 40 pounds.<br /><br />It is of the utmost importance that every parent should know how to use whichever seat they pick. There are two reading pieces that should help you learn how to do use the seat properly: the manufacturer guide that came with the seat and your own car's vehicle guide. Remember to double check the buckle that straps in the car seat and the restraints that hold the baby in place.<br /><br />Many parents get frustrated having to use harness straps, but they do need to fit around baby's chest tightly and correctly and connect in the appropiate slot. If strapping the harness into a slot position in a convertible, the relevant slots are above or at the shoulder; if using an infant car seat, the appropriate place is below. Parents should check their owner's manual to confirm placement, and they should make sure that the harness clip is at the same level as the baby's armpits, and double check that no straps of the harness are twisted.<br /><br />All seats should be reclined by 45 degrees if possible and the seat belt should be followed through the right path for the position of the seat. A rolled towel under the base helps secure the seat into position. Tighten the seat belt, as needed, to ensure the restraint is secured to your vehicle. For LATCH systems and car seats, consult your owner's guide and safety seat instruction manual. Other important facts to keep in mind are the general seat age and condition. Don't use a seat that is more than five years old or does not come with the manufacturer's instructions. Along with the owner's manual, your seat should have all its parts, and should have never been involved in any type of car accident. <h2>About the Author</h2> Read this alarming article by Vivienne Myatt and discover if your child is in danger. Discover how you keep your child safe. Also, see how subscribers to her newsletter <a href="http://www.perfectformums.com">save money every month</a>. Her blogs are visited by <a href="http://www.familylivingnatural.com">mums and moms</a> everywhere. </p>

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