Car Seat Safety Guidelines

We waited 9 months to  hold our precious baby in our arms. The precious little angel that completed our life. Our one true love, the love our our life. We will do everything to protect them, so a car seat is one thing  that we needed to protect our kids  on their first trip going home from the hospital. I have seen some parents with baby's in the car without a seat beat, they should be ashamed of themselves for being an irresponsible parents. Accidents happens anytime and either all of you or only the child will be thrown out of the car once you meet an accident.  So please, make sure to include a car seat into your to buy list when pregnant.

Here are the car seat safety guidelines for parents and caregivers:

Know the stages. Make sure children are properly buckled up in a car seat, booster seat, or seat belt, whichever is appropriate for their age, height and weight.

Birth up to Age 2: Rear-facing car seat. For the best possible protection, infants and children should be buckled in a rear-facing car seat, in the back seat, until age 2 or when they reach the upper weight or height limits of their particular seat. Check the seat’s owner’s manual and/or labels on the seat for weight and height limits.

Age 2 up to at least Age 5: Forward-facing car seat. When children outgrow their rear-facing seats they should be buckled in a forward-facing car seat, in the back seat, until at least age 5 or when they reach the upper weight or height limit of their particular seat. Check the seat’s owner’s manual and/or labels on the seat for weight and height limits.

Age 5 up until seat belts fit properly: Booster seat. Once children outgrow their forward-facing seat, (by reaching the upper height or weight limit of their seat), they should be buckled in a belt positioning booster seat until seat belts fit properly. Seat belts fit properly when the lap belt lays across the upper thighs (not the stomach) and the shoulder belt lays across the chest (not the neck). Remember to keep children properly buckled in the back seat for the best possible protection.

Once Seat Belts Fit Properly without a Booster Seat: Seat Belt. Children no longer need to use a booster seat once seat belts fit them properly. Seat belts fit properly when the lap belt lays across the upper thighs (not the stomach) and the shoulder belt lays across the chest (not the neck). The recommended height for proper seat belt fit is 57 inches tall. For the best possible protection keep children properly buckled in the back seat.

Install and Use Car; Booster Seats Properly. Install and use car seats and booster seats according to the seat’s owner’s manual or get help installing them from a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.

Don't Seat Children in Front of an Airbag. Buckle all children aged 12 and under in the back seat. Airbags can kill young children riding in the front seat. Never place a rear-facing car seat in front of an air bag.

Seat Children in the Middle of the Back Seat. Buckle children in the middle of the back seat when possible, because it is the safest spot in the vehicle.13

Use Proper Restraints Every Trip. Buckle children in car seats, booster seats, or seat belts on every trip, no matter how short.

Always Wear a Seat Belt. Set a good example by always using a seat belt themselves.



source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention