Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the safest way to transport my child in a vehicle seat?
Please visit: http://www.nhtsa.gov/DOT/NHTSA/Traffic%20Injury%20Control/Articles/Associated%20Files/4StepsFlyer.pdf to learn more.
2. Why should I be concerned about using second hand seats?
There are several issues surrounding used child safety seats, so in general they are not recommended. Here are a few of the concerns:
- The full history of a second-hand safety seat may be unknown. It may have been damaged in a previous crash, weakened by inappropriate use and storage, or otherwise compromised.
- All of the original parts, instructions and labels may not be present and in good condition. Parts substituted from other models are inappropriate, as are other user modifications, and can compromise the safety of the device.
- The safety seat may be recalled. Missing or damaged labels may make that difficult to assess, and determining whether a recalled part has been repaired or replaced can also be difficult.
- The safety seat may be too old. Most manufacturers agree that a safety seat that is more than six years old should not be used. This is primarily due to the facts that performance standards frequently change and devices incorporating new technologies protect children better. In addition, replacement parts and instructions may no longer be available for older safety seats, and manufacturers may no longer be in business.
3. Why do child safety seats need to be replaced after a crash?
Crash forces can weaken or damage child safety seats, safety belts, and other protective devices, making them less effective. This type of damage can even occur in minor crashes, even if it is not visible to the naked eye, and it can make the protection systems less effective. For this reason, manufacturers state that child safety seats and safety belts involved in crashes must be replaced. If a restraint system has protected a passenger in a crash, it has already done its job. Many parents and caregivers are reluctant to replace safety devices after relatively minor crashes. At a minimum, we suggest contacting the manufacturer for advice. The manufacturer knows the product’s capabilities and limitations, and may even be able to assist parents and caregivers with encouraging insurers to pay for replacement.
4. Which child safety seat is the safest?
There is not yet a credible rating system for child safety seats in place. Since all current child safety seats must meet the same standards, you may want to visit a store with a wide variety of child safety seats and ask the manager if he/she will let you install the store's display models in your car. Most stores are fairly receptive to the idea of bringing one model at a time to your vehicle. Ask these three questions about each model you consider:
Does it fit your child? Check the manufacturer's instructions to ensure that your child is within the allowable weight and height ranges for a specific safety seat, and that he/she also meets the recommended age/development characteristics. Some general guidelines are that:
- The AAP recommends that all infants should ride rear-facing starting with their first ride home from the hospital. All infants and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing car safety seat until they are 2 years of age or until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat's manufacturer.
- All children 2 years or older, or those younger than 2 years who have outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit for their car safety seat, should use a forward-facing car safety seat with a harness for as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat's manufacturer.
- All children whose weight or height is above the forward-facing limit for their car safety seat should use a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle seat belt fits properly, typically when they have reached 4 feet 9 inches in height and are between 8 and 12 years of age.
- When children are old enough and large enough to use the vehicle seat belt alone, they should always use lap and shoulder seat belts for optimal protection. All children younger than 13 years should be restrained in the Rear Seats of vehicles for optimal protection.
- For more information, please visit http://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Car-Safety-Seats-Information-for-Families.aspx
Does it fit your vehicle(s)? Not all child safety seats can be correctly installed in all seating positions of all vehicles. Be sure to read both the child safety seat and vehicle instructions. In general, a correctly installed child safety seat should not move more than 1 inch side to side or forward, when pulled at the safety belt path.
Will you use it consistently and correctly? Different child safety seats vary in design and features. It is important to choose one that you and your child are comfortable with, and that you will correctly install and adjust for every ride.
You may also want to speak with a child passenger safety technician in your area. Find one by contacting your local Safe Kids coalition. A tool to help you locate your nearest Safe Kids coalition can be found at http://www.usa.safekids.org/. If there is no coalition near you, contact the state coalition listed.
5. How will I know when my child has outgrown his forward-facing child safety seat?
Trained child passenger safety advocates look for three characteristics when determining whether a child has outgrown a forward-facing child safety seat.
- Weight limits of the seat.
- Uppermost harness slot height, in relation to the child's shoulders. To hold the child back against the seat, the harnesses should be at or above the child's shoulders when facing forward.
- Height of the child safety seat "shell" in relation to the base of the child's skull. To protect the head and neck, the base of the skull (about the middle of the child's ears) should not be above the top of the shell.
Most child safety seats also have a maximum height limit; it should be noted in the seat instructions. It is given as overall height, but sitting height is even more important. Consult and follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific model.
If your child has exceeded any of these weight or height characteristics, a new child safety seat is in order. Depending on your child’s age and size, you could:
- Find a convertible or forward-facing child safety seat that has higher harness slots.
- Find a high-back combination booster, which allows harness use until 40 pounds and then converts to a belt-positioning booster.
In general it is recommended using harnesses as long as possible before “graduating” to belt-positioning booster seats. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for installing and using whatever safety seat you choose.
6. All of the boosters I've found require shoulder belts, but my car only has lap belts in the back seat. What can I do?
Depending on your child's height and weight, you have a few options:
- Use a forward-facing child safety seat with higher weight limits. Although most only go to 40 pounds, a few manufacturers are designing models that are rated up to 60 pounds or higher, and can be installed using only a lap belt.
- Have shoulder belts retrofitted to your vehicle. Although your dealer may be unaware of it, contacting the manufacturer may help you to find a shoulder belt retrofit kit that the dealer can install.
- Try a tethered harness system. You can see one example, the 86-Y Harness at http://www.ezonpro.com/.
- Use an alternative vehicle that has rear shoulder belts. Any vehicle that is 1990 model year or later should have this.
- As a last resort or temporary solution, you may choose to use a belt-positioning booster seat in the front seat, combined with the lap and shoulder belt. With or without an air bag, though, children ages 12 and under are statistically much safer when properly restrained in the back seat.
7. How do I know when my child is ready to graduate from a booster seat to a safety belt alone?
- Children should ride in boosters until the vehicle safety belts fit correctly. This means that the child can sit all the way back against the vehicle seat, with knees bent comfortably over the edge.
- The lap belt remains snugly across the bony areas of the lower hips/upper thighs (not the soft abdomen).
- The shoulder belt remains snugly positioned across the chest and collarbone.
- If any of these criteria are not met, it is likely that the child needs a belt-positioning booster seat.
8. My child has special needs. Which is the best child safety seat for him?
The best child safety seat for your child depends on his/her specific physical needs. In some cases, a conventional seat would work. In others, a seat that offers more support and adjustability may be necessary. You may also benefit from consulting a specialist in transporting children with special health care needs.
9. I have more kids than I have room in the back seat. What should I do?
Currently, the accepted recommendation is that children ages 12 and under (also worded as “under 13”) should ride in the back seat. In cases where it is absolutely impossible for all children ages 12 and under to ride in the back seat, tough decisions need to be made. In general, the child who can be kept furthest from an air bag is the best choice for front seat placement. You should consult your vehicle manufacturer for advice on disabling air bags if a child under 13 will ride in an air bag-equipped position. Rear-facing infants can NEVER be placed in seating positions with active frontal air bags.
Please visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's web site at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/ for a list of facilities that can deactivate air bags.
10. Is my child safer in the seat behind the driver or behind the front-seat passenger?
As long as a child can be correctly restrained in the rear center position, it is generally recommended. That position is insulated from all crash angles, so it is usually thought of as safest.
The right and left rear seats are relatively similar based on fatal crash statistics. When selecting between them, some considerations might include the height of the driver, curbside parking, the availability of a door, access to other seating positions, the safety of all other passengers, whether the child needs to be monitored, driver distractions, etc. The final decision must be made by parents and caregivers.
11. How can I be sure my child's safety seat is installed correctly?
Start with the Child Safety Seat Guide to be sure you’re using the correct seat for your child’s age and weight. At the very top of http://www.usa.safekids.org/ in the red banner, you will see "Child Safety Seat Guide." Click on this and choose the age and weight of your child. Click on "Go." A detailed list of tips will follow. Next, read both the seat manufacturer's instructions and your vehicle owner’s manual carefully. These will get you started on installing your seat correctly.
Then, check for a snug fit. In general, a correctly installed child safety seat should not move more than 1 inch side to side or forward, when pulled at the safety belt path.
12. My 3-year-old will not stay in his/her child safety seat. What can I do?
There are a couple of variables that can affect whether a child stays in his or her child safety seat. A parent or caregiver must ensure:
- That everyone in the vehicle, including the adults, is buckled up during every ride. This sets an example for the child that riding unrestrained is unacceptable.
- That the child's safety seat harnesses are threaded and tightened correctly, so they are comfortable and safe. For a forward-facing 3-year-old, the harnesses should be at or slightly above the child's shoulders and in reinforced slots. The child safety seat manufacturer's instructions provide specific guidance, so they should be read and followed.
- That the harnesses are snug on your child and the harness retainer clip is positioned at the level of the child's armpits.
Beyond that, it is a behavioral issue. One method that has been used by many is consistently stating that the car will not move unless everyone is buckled up. If the child "escapes" during travel, the driver can pull over to a SAFE PLACE and remain there until the child agrees to sit in his or her safety seat. It may require extra travel time at first, but once the child realizes it is remaining in the child safety seat is not negotiable, the problem should subside.
(Source: http://www.safekids.org/)
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