Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death among children in the country. Thankfully, you can ensure your child’s safety and prevent injuries by installing a high-quality car seat in your vehicle.
As a parent or guardian, you may have spent endless months looking for your baby’s perfect car seat. However, a high-quality car seat is not enough on its own if you end up installing it incorrectly. To protect your little one during car trips, make sure to avoid these common car seat mistakes:
Buying a car seat in the wrong size
Car seats come in many sizes. For instance, convertible car seats, booster seats, and infant seats have different height and weight ranges. Its safety features also have unique weight thresholds. Using a car seat that is too big or too small for your child can cause them to get injured during a crash, so look for one based on your child’s size and age.
Adjusting the harness and clip incorrectly
The shoulder straps should be kept in place, so be sure to adjust the harness clip over your child’s chest. Don’t make the common mistake of leaving the straps too loose or putting the harness clip too low.
These errors can be avoided by pinching the straps and ensuring you can slide a finger under them once you fasten your kid into their seat. On the other hand, you can ensure that the clip can keep the straps in their proper position in case of a crash by placing the clip at chest level by your little one’s armpits.
Failing to learn how to use the LATCH system
If your car was manufactured after September 2002, it probably has the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system. It has metal bars near the seat base and a tether anchor that makes car seat installation easier. Note that low anchors and connectors are used instead of your car’s seat belt to secure the child seat. It means you usually cannot use the lower anchors and the seat belt at the same time unless the booster seats have the LATCH system.
Meanwhile, if your child is ready to wear the seat belt on its own, make sure that their feet touch the floor, the vehicle lap belt fits snugly across their upper thighs and hips, and the shoulder belt is placed across their chest and shoulders. If the belt gets defective, book for a seat belt replacement or repair right away.
Using an expired, used, or recalled car seat
Car seats have expiration dates, so be sure to buy only a new, unused, and unexpired one to keep your child as safe as possible. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and register the car seat to stay up-to-date about any recalls.
Conclusion
Vehicle crashes can happen no matter how careful you are, which is why investing in a high-quality car seat for your child is important. Unfortunately, installing and using it is more complicated than you might think, and it’s easy to make mistakes. To secure your child in their seat correctly at all times, remember the common errors listed above and avoid them at all costs.
If your seat belts have become worn out or you have been involved in a car accident and need immediate seat belt repair or replacement, seek help from our team at Safety Restore. Our post-accident restoration company also offers airbag services at affordable rates. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help!
