Using a car seat (child safety seat) is the best protection you can give your child when traveling by car. Every state in the United States requires that an infant or small child be restrained. And with good reason — unintentional injury is the leading cause of death in children, and most such injuries are automobile crashes.
Child safety seats can substantially reduce the risk of a potentially fatal injury, especially for babies but also for toddlers. Yet many safety seats are used incorrectly. “More than 99 percent of all car seats we see are installed improp-erly,” says Julie Farmer, injury prevention coordinator at Children’s of Alabama. “A correctly installed car seat can mean the difference between life and death - parents should take this very seriously.”
When choosing any car seat, following some general guidelines will
help ensure a child's safety. The best car seat is not always the most expensive one — it's the one that best fits a child's weight, size, and age, as well as your vehicle.
Once you select a seat, be sure to try it out, keeping in mind that
store displays and illustrations might not show the correct usage. It's up to you to learn how to install a car safety seat properly and harness your child for the ride.
If you need help installing your safety seat or would like a technician to check whether you've installed it properly, Children’s of Alabama offers a free permanent fitting station. A certified technician will both install the car seat and educate parents on the proper way to fit the car seat in the future. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 1-800-504-9768.
Guidelines for Choosing Car Seats
Choose a seat with a label that states that it meets or exceeds Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213. Accept a used seat with caution. Never use a seat that's more than 6 years old or one that was in a crash (even if it looks OK, it could be structurally unsound). Avoid seats that are missing parts, are not labeled with the manufacture date and model number (you'll have no way to know about recalls), or do not come with an instruction manual. If you have any doubts about a seat's history, or if it is cracked or shows signs of wear and tear, don't use it. If you accept a used seat, contact the manufacturer for recommendations on how long the seat can safely be used and to find out if it's ever been recalled. Recalls are quite common, and the manufacturer may be able to provide you with a replacement part or new seat. Be sure to fill out the product registration card so you will be notified about recalls right away.
For more information, visit our website at www.childrensal.org
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