For the best possible protection, keep your infant in a rear-facing kid safety seat or infant car seat base in a rear seat for so long as possible to at least up to the height or weight limit of the particular seat. The 12-months-20-pounds rule that many parents cite when turning their child forward-facing in the automobile is basically the minimum size and age duty for that change. Thus, consult professionals if you were to turn your kids to forward-facing for the maximum protection.
Keep a baby rear-facing in a convertible seat until she reaches the maximum height or weight allowed by the maker. Many children will be over age 2 when they reach that weight. Rear-facing occupants in an infant car seat base are safest.
Use your infant's auto seat in a rear-facing position and assured that it is semi-reclined to less than 45 degrees, so that the baby's head stays in communication with the seat and the infant's airway stays open.
Ensure the buckled harness straps that keep your baby are correctly positioned and secured in the infant car seat base as well as fit comfortably. Remember, loose harness straps don't provide maximum protection. Also, ensure that the harness is tight enough that you cannot pinch webbing at the shoulder. Position the shoulder straps through the slots at or below your infant's shoulders. Adjust the chest clip to armpit level.
Your vehicle seat shouldn't move more than one in. side to side or front to back. Many new vehicles and auto seats are equipped with Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH). In most vehicles, rigid LATCH is extremely fast, easy and may offer additional protection, especially in dangerous side impacts. Grab the auto seat or infant car seat base at the safety belt or LATCH trail to test it. However, don't use both systems at the same time.
Many have the expiry date stamped on the seat. Contact the manufacturer of your particular seat to find out what its expiry date is. Ask the manufacturer if they do accept any trade-in of an old infant car seat base to a brand new one.
Never buy a second hand automobile seat or infant car seat base if you do not know its full history. Never employ a automobile seat that has been in a crash. Don't use any products that didn't come from the maker in or with the vehicle seat.
Additional toys may cause unforeseen injuries during a car crash. So, try and remove any toys from the auto seat base if possible.
Find the frontal airbags in your vehicle by checking the instruction manual. Never put a rear-facing car seat in front of an active frontal airbag. It has a chance to suffocate the infant during a car crash. Infants are always safest in a back seat. Have your car seat or infant car seat base checked by a now authorized child passenger safety technician to be sure it is properly installed.
Remember: All children younger than 13 years should ride in the back seat.
William Cheah is the Operational Director of William & Eva Co.
