Below is a quick checklist of some do s and don ts of child restraint and safety seat installation.
Do s for Baby
• Do read and follow the instructions that come with your child safety seat. Also carefully review the vehicle owner’s manual. It will contain important information regarding the installation of child safety restraints in your make and model vehicle.
• Do dress the baby in pants or loose clothing so that his or her legs are free. Otherwise, it will be difficult to secure the crotch harness strap. Place blankets and other coverings over the baby only after you have fastened all baby seat buckles and have tightened all harness straps.
• Do ensure the baby sits in a semi reclined position in the safety seat. This helps baby’s breathing. Ordinarily, you can adjust the base of the seat for this purpose. If you can’t adjust your baby’s safety seat, try putting a rolled towel under the front end of the baby’s seat where the motor vehicle’s seat and seat back join. Be warned. This is a delicate adjustment. Your baby could be ejected from the seat in the event of an accident or sudden stop if you tip the seat too far backwards.
• Do take time to ensure the harness straps fit snugly and lie flat on the baby’s shoulders, not on his arms. In an accident or near accident, a baby can be thrown out of his seat if the harness is loose.
• Do use the lowest harness slot for a newborn and make sure the straps in the slots rest at or below the baby’s shoulders.
• Do check the location of the plastic harness retainer clip. Position it at the level of the baby’s armpits so the harness straps will fall properly across the shoulders.
• Do make sure the vehicle s seat belt is properly attached to the child safety seat and holds it securely and snugly in place inside your vehicle, if your vehicle does not have a LATCH child safety seat installation system. Under these circumstances, you should thread the vehicle’s seat belt through a convertible child seat’s seat belt path or slots designed to hold the belt. These slots are usually located in a lower position than the slots used to secure older toddlers.
Don ts for Baby
• Don’t place thick padding under or behind a baby. He won’t be as tightly restrained as he should be to travel safely. If you need to support a baby, fill any empty spaces around his head and shoulders with rolled baby blankets. Rolled cloth diapers or small blankets can be placed between the baby’s legs and behind the crotch strap.
• Don’t use a seat with a padded overhead shield/bar that drops down in front of baby. You may think the shield/bar is an extra safety feature. In actuality, it can injure your child if your baby’s head or body strikes the shield/bar during a crash or sudden stop.
Do’s for Toddlers and Pre schoolers 1 to 4 years old:
• Do read and follow the instructions enclosed with your child safety seat. In addition, read your vehicle owner’s manual. It should contain important information regarding the installation of child safety restraints in your make and model vehicle.
• Do keep your child in a full harness as long as you can beyond age 4. The harness protects his upper body and keeps him secure in his seat.
• Do use the appropriate (usually the top most) slots for the harness straps when your child is at least one year old, weighs over 20 pounds, and starts riding in the forward facing position in a convertible seat. Comply with the manufacturer’s instructions about placement of the harness straps.
• Do check the placement of the harness retainer clips. They should be at armpit level.
• Do make sure the vehicle s seat belt is properly attached to the child safety seat, if the vehicle does not have a LATCH child safety seat installation system. When using a seat belt, you must thread the vehicle’s seat belt through a convertible child seat s correct seat belt path or slot. This may be a different slot from the one you used when your child was a baby and his convertible seat faced backwards.
Allen and Allen are experienced Virginia personal injury lawyers and car accident attorneys. They can be found online at: http://www.allenandallen.com
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