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Sadly, children under 12 years of age die because of car accidents, daily. Automobile accidents are the number one cause, and many of these tragedies are preventable. By choosing the right car seat and using it correctly, every single time, parents give their children the best gift of all: a future.
Anyone who drives a vehicle with children onboard needs to ensure these three things: the right car seat is chosen, it is correctly used and it is in use every time. While there are no national regulations for car seat safety, each state sets their own laws about their use. Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) makes recommendations, and along with Tesco.com, these two resources provide a wealth of knowledge for drivers.
Picking The Right Size Car Seat
Babies and children up to age 12 need their own child seat, which attaches to the vehicle using the car’s factory seat belt. Different makes of cars require slightly different shapes of child seats; the child seat must be able to sit flush and secure against the vehicle’s back seat. Back seats are far safer than front seats so are always preferable.
Rear-facing infant seats are designed for newborns and up to the age where the child no longer fits comfortably facing backwards. This position gives the best protection for the delicate neck and spinal cord, and the NHTSA recommends its use for as long as possible. After the age of one year, most children need to switch to front facing child seats. Always check the car seat’s information labels and instructions for the height and weight range the car seat will hold.
Once a child reaches about 80 pounds and the recommended height, it is time to change to a booster seat. The purpose is only to raise the child high enough so that the car’s built-in seat belts fit the child correctly. Built for an adult passenger, the factory auto safety belts cross the adult’s chest and thighs at a safe point, however, a smaller child is not tall enough for this system.
Different Types Of Car Seats
Children vehicle seats come in these sizes: infant, toddler to child, and the booster seat for pre-pubescent. Since children grow on their own schedule, this information is basic and each child needs individual assessment, as described at Tesco.com. Furthermore, parents who buckle their child up correctly each time set the habit that the child will continue throughout their adulthood.
Carseat safety is SUPER important!
Car seat safety is a very important consideration. Thanks for sharing.