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Home › Articles › General Safety Issues › A Safe Ride

A Safe Ride

Car Seats are Serious Business

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Infant car seats should be at a 45-degree angle. Sometimes the incline of the automobile's seat or way the car seat fits into the car puts it at the wrong angle. Use a rolled up bath towel right next to the seat back, and under the car seat (towards the infant's feet) to change the angle.

 

Straighten Those Straps
Twisted straps can apply too much pressure on the baby, in the wrong places. Untwist all the straps. Every time you put the baby in, straighten the straps. Check the car seat owner's manual to make sure you have threaded the straps correctly, and that you have placed the straps around the baby correctly. The harness that connects the straps together should be fastened around the baby's armpits. Make sure that straps are snug and tight, just one or two finger-widths from shoulders. Babies are comforted by snug surroundings, so don't worry that the straps are too tight.

 

Be Careful About Clothes
Hot weather can cause plastic parts of the car seat to get very hot. Make sure your child has clothing, particularly longer shorts or pants to prevent them from getting burned. Heavy winter clothes and bulky hoods can prevent straps from tightening as they should. Put hoods up as you put the child into the car seat. They can go down later, after the straps are tight. Remember that the straps should be one or two finger-widths from the child's shoulders. You may have to pull the straps tight manually. Or better yet, have your children wear sweatshirts and blankets in the car, and use heavy coats only when you go out.

Back it Up
Never put your car seat in the front seat if you have an airbag. Airbags can injure or kill small children, particularly those in rear-facing car seats.

 


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