Important Car Seat Statistics
Installing a car seat correctly is the most important thing you can do to protect your child or newborn if you are in a crash. If you ever doubted how important a car seat is you'll change your mind once you realize the shocking facts about automobile accidents. First and most importantly, most parents assume that their child is safe whether their car seat is installed correctly. This is FALSE! Other parents mistakenly believe they installed their seat correctly. Unfortunately this is often not the case.
If you use your car seat wrongly or install it improperly you might be in for a big surprise. Studies conducted by transportation authorities in Canada and the U.S. show that four of every ten children are not riding in their car seats correctly. This is because of either improper installation or use of a car seat. Why might this concern you?
Car seats save babies lives. Your baby's risk of death or injury increases tenfold when your car seat is improperly installed or misused. When used correctly, your baby's odds of surviving a bad wreck increase 71%. When you are in a car crash, the force your child bears is equal to the weight of the child times the speed before the crash. So if your baby for example, weights 20 pounds, and you are driving 40 mph when you crash, your baby will undergo 1600 pounds of force in just a second. That force can kill. Fortunately a properly installed car seat can help reduce the impact your child will experience in a crash.
Tips For Installing Your Car Seat Correctly The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently reported that up to 82 percent of infant car seats are installed wrongly, increasing the risk of severe injury or mortality if an accident occurs. What can you do to lessen the risk your child faces? One thing you can do is consider buying a car seat with a LATCH system. Automobiles made after 2002 feature LATCH systems that help you install a carseat more safely. Many new infant carriers come with LATCH compatible systems. Britax and Graco for example make car seats compatible with this system.
You should also consider having your installation checked out be a certified car seat safety inspector. You can do this at your local fire station. In fact, your better-off just calling. Many have routine car seat installation days where they will inspect and even install your child's car seat free. These technicians have at least 32 hours training in proper car seat installation. That's probably 32 more hours than you'll ever have to figure out how to safely install your baby's car seat.
If you do need to install your seat on your own at least initially, here are some tips for doing it right:
- 1. First, check to make sure you have the right seat. An infant carrier for example, will only hold a baby up to 1-year old and 20 pounds. If your baby falls outside this range you'll need a different seat.
- 2. If possible always position your child's carseat in the rear of the car. This is the safest place for your baby. The middle of the backseat in fact is by far the safest place. You should never place your baby's car seat in the front passenger side if there is an air bag there you can't deactivate or uninstall.
- 3. Be sure before starting you read your car seat manufacturers user guide carefully and completely.
- 4. Once you install the seat, either using a LATCH system or traditional belt, check to make sure the seat doesn't move more than one inch in any direction.
- 5. If using a rear facing seat or infant carrier make sure the seat is angled properly to support your babies head.
Because it is so important, its worth saying again. If you have any questions or concerns about installing your child's car seat, have it checked out by a certified technician. This only takes a short amount of time and can save you loads of headaches when trying to install your baby's carseat. When it comes to your child's safety, you deserve the best! Remember that most seats are installed incorrectly the first time. By having someone check it over you can rest assured that your baby is safe while riding in your vehicle.
Ant Arthur is a successful freelance writer with 10 years of professional experience providing consumers with informative articles on such topics as Baby Carriers, Baby Slings and Baby Car Seats
Related Articles:
Consumer Demand for New Automobiles Falls To New 14-Month Low As Recessionary Fears Mount
Demand for non-luxury vehicles slumps, while luxury market holds steady.
Car Accident & Motoring Mishap Prone? You're Not Alone!
Kwik-Fit Car Insurance launches new Foolproof website to highlight how common those foolish motoring mishaps are.
Car Insurance Who Says Premiums Are Too High College Students
Car insurance is a necessary for automobiles. The price paid for it, however, is a choice. Different car insurance issuers charge different prices for their various coverages. There are multiple factors that affect the price a shopper gets. A seventy year young man driving a 20 year old truck will pay a different car insurance rate than an eighteen year old that drives a sports car.
Racing Car Games ? Why We Love Them
Racing car games are loved by people of all ages, right from children to adults These racing car games are really entertaining and one of the most popular genre of gaming
Hot Fuels For Fast Cars
Men have been experimenting with weird fuel concoctions since man tamed fire. Even from the beginnings of fire it was obvious that the hotter fuel would give the best results. This more than translates the right fuel would mean top speeds for racing cars. After all the best burning fuel would give the faster camshafts to win the race. Eve with the technologically advanced fuels we still do not know what the upper limits of performance potential might be with the most potent fuels.
How To Negotiate Car Financing
Have you ever wondered if there is some way to negotiate car financing like you would the car deal? Well in part there are a few tips you can follow to help you negotiate for a car loan. In this article we will discuss a few of those as well as look at a few options you have.
How to Avoid Car Dealership Scams
If you're planning to purchase a vehicle, either used or new, you need to be an aware and informed consumer While the majority of car dealers are honest and sincere suppliers, there are scams out there that could cost you big money
Arm Yourself the Right Way When Buying a New Car
Whenever you are considering getting a new car, you should be sure to bring all of the information that will help you to get the best deal you can. Plus, arming yourself with the proper information when you visit a car dealership will help you avoid getting scammed.
Quote Comparisons: The Key To Getting A Good Deal Out Of A Bad Credit Car Loan
Bad credit auto loans should help people rebuild their credit. Since auto loans are almost always secured, they are very easy to qualify for, even for people with bad credit, no credit or bankruptcy. But instead of making these loans accessible for people with credit problems most car dealers charge extremely high interest rates turning what otherwise would be an excellent way to rebuild your credit into an excessive burden.
Water Powered Car - Does Water Powered Cars Really Work?
Rising fuel prices are a reality So is the technology for a water powered car