Child and Installation Car Seat Safety
The holiday season calls for more trips; either to the store to shop for gifts, or visiting family or driving through neighborhoods decorated with impressive display of Christmas lights, we are on the move and baby in tow.
With more people on the road, you can expect more accidents. We've witnessed several accidents just in my own neighborhood and it's scares us to think that although we're driving safely, others may be distracted and could crash into us while Nova is in the car.
So with the help of Britax, I researched some tips that could help protect my baby. Along the way I learned some mistakes I was making when positioning Nova in her car seat but sharing them all with you so you too can feel a bit more comfortable when driving with baby.
Positioning Your Child in a Car Seat
Once your seat is installed, you still need to place your child into it properly to ensure their safety. Below are specifics for the harness system in both rear- and front-facing seats.
Remove bulky clothing or unnecessary layers.
Place your child so their backside is flush against the seat without arching or slouching.
All straps should lie flat against your child without twists or knots.
Straps should be snug but not too tight.
The chest clip should sit level with their armpits.
The shoulder straps should connect to the seat at or directly below their shoulders.
Car seat handle should be pushed back and not upright while the car is in motion.
It's normal to feel intimidated by a car seat installation as a new parent, but don't be! Once you take the car seat out of the box there are some basic rules and tips that apply.
Car Installation Tips
Read the instructions. Don't try guessing—read the directions thoroughly and make sure you clearly understand how to securely install the car seat.
Position car seats in the back seat. This is the safest location in the car for a child to ride.
Reference your vehicle's manual. Some cars have lower anchors built into the seats that can be used to attach a safety seat. Older cars may not have these and require the seat belt to secure the car seat. The owner's manual will help you find what you need.
Lock the seat belt. If your vehicle doesn't have lower anchors, refer to your owner's manual to find out how to lock a seat belt once the seat is in place.
Once I upgraded Nova grew from her Endeavour infant car seat to the Boulevard ClickTight Convertible Car Seat from Britax, we were very impressed with the continued quality and easy installation. It has the safest and easiest installation available with the ClickTight Installation System, making installation as easy as buckling a seat belt. The seat also comes with 2 layers of side impact protection. You can rest assured your child’s harness is within range of proper tightness thanks to the Click & Safe Snug Harness Indicator. Some of our most favorite features include:
2 Layers of Side Impact Protection to help keep your child safe during a collision with an energy-absorbing shell and foam-lined head rest.
Click & Safe Snug Harness Indicator that lets you know when your child's harness is the perfect fit with the sound of a click.
14-Position, Quick-Adjust Harness that easily adjusts to your child's height with no re-threading necessary.
Lastly, The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all infants and toddlers should ride in a Rear-Facing Car Seat until they are 2 years of age or until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car seat manufacturer. BRITAX strongly recommends that children ride rear facing to the highest weight or height specified.
Hope you found this helpful!
