As September 17th kicks off Child Passenger Safety Week and September 23rd marks National Seat Check Saturday, let's review how to keep your child safe inside an automobile.
General
Safety and Car Seat Installation Tips
By:
Allana Pinkerton, Certified CPST and Global Safety Advocate for diono
Check List for Proper
Installation
1.
Read the manuals for the car seat and vehicle. Pay
close attention to warnings, expiration dates and registration procedures.
2.
Watch car seat manufacturer installation videos
on their website. Always use a reputable source to get more information on
installations.
3.
Make sure the car seat can be installed with the
LATCH system and seat belt individually. Many car seats have weight limitations
on the LATCH system and you will need to install with the seat belt eventually.
4.
Place seat belt or LATCH strap through the
proper belt path. There is only one for infant car seats and two for
convertible car seats. Convertibles have a rear-facing and a forward-facing
belt path. Forward-facing Combination seats have a forward-facing belt path
only.
5.
Be sure seat belt is in locked mode if using
vehicle belt. The seat belt will most likely lock at the retractor or at the
latch plate.
6.
Pull LATCH or seat belt webbing tight.
7.
Check for tight fit at the belt path, only. Car
seat should move less than one inch in either direction.
Securing Child in the Car
Seat
1.
Place harness strap in the correct position.
Harness straps for a rear-facing child should be placed at the shoulders or
coming from just below. Forward-facing is at or just above the shoulders.
2.
Pull the harness straps snug and comfortable so
you cannot pinch the webbing when grasping at the collar bone. The straps
should lay flat on the child and not be twisted. Harness straps should be
comfortably snug.
3.
The chest clip is a positioning device to help
keep the straps on the child’s shoulders. Place the chest clip at arm pit
level.
4.
If you are using an infant car seat, check the
manual for the correct position of the carrier handle when traveling in the
car.
General Safety Tips
1.
Choose a car seat that fits your child and
vehicle correctly. Choose a seat you will use correctly every ride.
2.
#LookforBaby may sound silly, but we are all
living more distracted lives these days. Too many children are unintentionally
being left in hot cars. It can happen to anyone. Keep your purse or phone on
the floor in the back seat. When you reach your destination you are more likely
to remember to get those items which will help you keep an eye on baby before
you lock the door.
3.
Check the car seat installation before every
ride. Just give it a tug at the belt path to be sure it is still secured to the
seat belt or with the lower anchors.
4.
Don’t transition children too soon. Keep them rear-facing
as long as possible. Keep them in a 5 point harness and do not skip booster
stage for older children. Some children do not fit in the adult seat belt until
age 12.
5.
Set a good example for your kids and make sure
all passengers are properly buckled so they stay safe as well.
6.
Register the car seat so you can be notified in
case or any recalls.
7.
Do not use the car seat if it has been in a
severe crash or following the instruction manual guidelines.
8.
Do not buy a used car seat unless you know the
history, how it was stored and if has not expired.
9.
Follow the instruction manual for proper washing
instructions. Never soak harness straps or use abrasive cleaners on any part of
the car seat.
Allana Pinkerton, Certified Child Passenger
Safety Technician
Allana Pinkerton is the Global Safety Advocate for diono. She began her career in Child Passenger Safety as a National Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician in 2001 and advanced into the position of a National Instructor in 2002. In 2004, she founded a non-profit organization, Sit Tight, which provided education and free car seats to underserve communities.
Allana Pinkerton is the Global Safety Advocate for diono. She began her career in Child Passenger Safety as a National Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician in 2001 and advanced into the position of a National Instructor in 2002. In 2004, she founded a non-profit organization, Sit Tight, which provided education and free car seats to underserve communities.
As the Global
Safety Advocate, she facilitates educating the staff, consumers and the media
about car seats. Allana works closely with the marketing team, educating at
consumer and industry trade shows, as well as writing blogs on CPS issues. She
is called upon to work with engineering and product development team on current
and new products. As diono expands across the globe, Allana continues to expand
her role assisting the diono European and China teams.