Car Safety Seat Misuse

Car Safety Seat Misuse

In many jurisdictions around North America, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 4 to 14. Further, many of these deaths are due to car safety seat misuse. Many caregivers are in a false sense of security because their baby is in a car seat, but if that car seat is being misused, the baby is not safer than without a car seat.

Installation

The most common problem is a car seat that is not installed properly. Make sure you follow the manufacturers instructions. You should also consider going to a clinic in your area, where professionals will help you ensure that the installation was done properly. Check for a clinic in your area by doing a search on the internet. Here is one example of a helpful site that I found. Car Seat Installation Tips. If you live in the United States, here is a site that will help you find a local Child Safety Seat Inspection Station.

Buying a Used Car Safety Seat

Have you purchased, or are you considering a used car seat? Ask if it has been in an accident. A seat that has been involved in a wreck can stretch and become ineffective. Car seats are designed for one accident in one vehicle, which is also true for a vehicle’s seatbelts.

Another factor when getting a used car seat is to make sure the original factory stickers are still intact. These stickers help you check recall lists. From time to time a manufacturer will find defects in their manufacturing processes and they will issue a recall for a particular model. If you buy one of these defective seats, you are risking your baby's safety.

Just before you go, here is one more useful Car Safety Seat site.

As well, see our article Car Seat Deadly Mistakes.

Yours in parenthood, Grandpa Richard.

News about Car Seat Safety

These news items are supplied by "Yahoo! News". You can visit them at http://news.yahoo.com/.

• Child car seat safety check to be held in MB Saturday
  The Kangaroo Pouch and The City of Myrtle Beach will be conducting a child car seat safety check on Saturday, July 31st from 10 am to 12 pm.
  


• KSFY Action News: Breaking News, Weather and Community |Sanford Child's Gives Free Car Seat Inspections in Aberdeen
  Sanford Children's was out at the Aberdeen Aquatic Center given free car seat inspections today. There is no arguing that child safety is very important, especially when your driving in your car.
  


• Car seats checked for proper installation in Chester
  CHESTER The borough will host a car seat check station from 2 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 3, at 100 North Road, in the First Aid Squad building.
  


• Child Safety Seat Class Offered in Camarillo
  (CAMARILLO, July 12, 2010) The Automobile Club of Southern California will host a free child passenger safety education workshop at its Camarillo branch on Thursday, Aug. 5, for parents, expectant parents and caregivers of children up to 6 years of age.
  


• Child Passenger Safety Law About to Change
  A state law aimed at making car-travel safer for our kids is about to change. It's Colorado's Child Passenger Safety law, and the new regulations go into effect on August 1st, 2010.
  


• Car Seats Getting an Age Boost
  Mesa County, Colo. Starting next month, Colorados law changes for how kids have to be buckled up inside a car. The law now requires kids up to eight years old to be buckled in using a childs booster seat. Previously, Colorados law only requires kids up to six years old to use a booster seat.
  


• BMW challenges small car stereotype
  Leave it to Germany's performance car maker, BMW, to challenge small car stereotypes.