September is Child Passenger Safety Month and as a tool for you honorary instructor, Sarah Peters, who is a Certified CPST (child passenger safety technician) has authored this month's blog. She tells us about ten of the most common carseat misuses and helps guide you to make the safest choices for your child passengers.
Instructor Inspiration - Car Seat Safety
Sarah Peters - Child Safety Passenger Technician
10 Common Car Seat Misuses
1. Off-brand products
The use of any product that did not come with your car seat can be a potential danger to your baby in the event of a crash. Car seats are crash tested with only what they come with, and therefore by adding additional pieces, it could change the effectiveness of the seat when in a collision. Some car seat manufacturers will sell pieces that can be added, but it must be okayed by both the car seat manual and the added brand manufacturer.
2. Improper harnessing
The proper use and position of a car seat straps are extremely important to maintain maximum safety while in a seat. The position of the straps changes as a child grows, but also as they switch from rear facing to forward facing. A rear facing seat should have straps that land AT or BELOW the child’s shoulders. While in a forward facing seat the straps should fall AT or just ABOVE the child’s shoulders. Whether a child is rear or forward-facing, the chest clip should always be at armpit level, and no webbing should be able to be pinched at the shoulder to ensure proper tightness.
3. Borrowing Lower Anchors
Many caregivers believe that the middle seat is the “safest” for a car seat. However, when installed correctly all three back row seats are perfectly safe for car seat install. Another rumor is that using the lower anchors is safer than using the seat belt, and again, when used correctly, the seat belt is just as safe as using lower anchors. This headline misuse refers to using the lower anchor points from the two side seating positions to put a seat in the middle seating position. This is NOT allowed in most vehicles, read your car manual to check your own vehicle’s ruling. If the middle seating
position is the desired spot for a car seat, using the seat belt to install will be the only safe way.
4. Projectiles
Projectiles are anything in the car that can become airborne during a crash. Something as common as a purse in the front seat can be detrimental , and when it comes to car seats, toys, water bottles and mirrors are no exception. Therefore all unnecessary items should be stored and secured in the trunk. And if a mirror or water bottle is necessary, try to use soft sided alternatives when you can.
Here are some examples of "safer" projectiles:
5. Coats and BundleMe
Winter weather is inevitable here in the Midwest, and therefore knowing what is safe to use for the winter weather while in a car seat is imperative. Placing any layer of of material between a child and the car seat can cause slipping in the event of a crash and therefore should be avoided. Off-brand products such as the BundleMe should not be used in a car seat for this reason. The same goes for large winter coats in older children. When applicable, try to heat up the car before getting in during the colder months and remove jackets once inside the warmed vehicle. Also, putting the jacket on backward once in a seat is another safe option. Babies in carriers can use an elastic winter cover and can be bundled with a blanket after the straps are properly secured but heavy blankets and the cover flap should be removed before driving to alleviate overheating while in the car.
Try these options to keep kids warm & safe in the car:
6. Transition to Forward-facing too soon
A child’s age nor their bent legs are ever a reason they should be switched from rear-facing to a forward-facing car seat. While a child may look “uncomfortable” to the parent or caregiver, staying rear-facing as long as possible, maxing out a rear-facing height or weight limit, is what is safest for a child’s head, neck, and spine in the event of a crash. Many state laws denote an age in which a child must reach to be moved forward-facing. In Illinois, a child must remain rear-facing until the age of 2. However, many car seats have rear-facing weight limits of 45lbs and therefore most 2 year olds are far from maxing out their seat.
7. Teaching Fellow Caregivers
An important part of car seat safety is ensuring all caregivers have the correct information. It will be up to the parent to educate grandparents and babysitters how to use and install car seats correctly.
This can be an easy thing to forget, but just remember anyone who watches your children should know how to properly use their car seat.
8. Sleeping in Carrier
While many children, especially newborns, fall asleep in their car seats, they are not designed for long term sleeping. If a child is properly restrained, they can sleep, however, once a firm flat surface is available, they should be transitioned to the proper sleeping arrangement. This means putting a carrier onto a stroller base and walking about while an infant is sleeping is fine, but as soon as you are home, you’d remove the sleeping infant and place them
Back to Sleep in a crib or bassinet. Car seats are for the transportation of children safely, but should not be used for sleep otherwise.
9. Loosening Straps while Out of Vehicle
Many people who use a carrier type car seat will unbuckle a baby when they are out of the vehicle, say walking in the store or sitting at a restaurant (or at Stroller Strides). However, this puts baby at risk of slipping down and losing proper circulation due to head positioning. Some caregivers feel that a baby would be “more comfortable” in their car seat without the straps on, but it is safest for them to be properly restrained at all times while in their seat.
10. Hand-Me-Down/Marketplace Car Seats
Car seats can be expensive, so it may be tempting to buy a car seat secondhand, but keep in mind you’ll want to know the entire history of a car seat to safely use it. Someone could say that the seat has never been in an accident, but if you are unsure it could be detrimental. Do your research and only use second hand seats from a trusted source.