Child Safety in Your Vehicle: Proper Use / Installation of Car Seats

Keeping their children safe is most parents’ number one priority. They monitor what they eat, where they’re playing and with whom they’re playing. Taking care of an infant, however, brings a whole new set of worries, and most everyday items become extremely dangerous. On top of that, infant furniture can also be hazardous if not installed or used properly, and the number one danger to a newborn baby is an improperly installed car seat.

Installing a car seat can be a little bit tricky, but it’s extremely important to be methodical and extremely cautious about what you’re doing, as you want to keep your baby as safe as possible. The following are some tips on how you should properly install your baby’s car seat: (Of course, you should check the manual for any specific instructions from the manufacturer).

Car Seat Safety

1.) When a baby is first born, they need to be place in a rear-facing seat until they’re about 20 lbs. The seat should also be installed in the middle of the backseat to lessen the impact of a sideswipe collision. A rear-facing seat must sit at a 45 degree angle, and it this isn’t possible due to the recline of your backseat, you should roll up a blanket or use a pool tube to steady the base. (Of course, you should check the manual for any specific instructions from the manufacturer).2.)  The most important thing to remember when installing a car seat is that it should be very secure. Use your whole body to tighten the seatbelt around the car seat, and periodically check the belt to make sure it hasn’t come loose. There shouldn’t be any more than 2.5 centimetres of movement if the seat is installed correctly.

3.) Once you’ve secured the car seat in place, it’s time to buckle your child in it. It’s very important that the child is snug in place, and the harness straps should always lay flat against your child’s chest. If they are twisted or folded, take the time to straighten them out. When the child is buckled in, there should be only room for one finger between the strap and the child’s collarbone. The chest clips should be positioned at armpit level and should also lie flat.

Remember to follow the instructions from the car seat manual, and check to make sure that the car seat has a label from the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. It’s required by law. If you’re still a little unsure about the job you’ve done, call your local police station and ask them when they’re having their next car seat clinic. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
 

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