Avoid These Baby Seat Safety Mistakes
As a parent, you plug up all the electrical outlets, lock up the bleach, and put safety latches on all cupboards, you may be overlooking one important element: car seat safety. September is National Baby Safety Month, so we're taking this opportunity to explore some
common car seat mistakes that parents make. Did you know that motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of death for children in the U.S.? While car accidents can be devastating, children's car seats are designed to protect him or her so that the chance of injury is reduced. Keep your baby safe this month by knowing how to avoid car seat mistakes.
Mistake #1: Incorrect InstallationMake sure the car seat won't budge more than an inch from side to side or front to back. Check that the straps of the harness are snug against the baby's body when she's strapped in. The pinch test is also recommended: if there's enough slack that you can wrinkle a bit of strap between your fingers, it's not tight enough. Don't forget to lock in the tether strap when the car seat is forward-facing.
Mistake #2: Wrong Incline AngleIt's critical that rear-facing car seats recline at a 45-degree angle, especially with newborns. If the car seat isn't reclined according to the manufacturer's instructions, it's a red flag that it's not installed properly. If the seat is too upright, the child's head and neck could get injured. Make sure your child's car seat comes equipped with a level indicator showing you an incline of 45 degrees.
Mistake #3: Loose Straps You don't want to strap your baby in too tight but slack straps could be dangerous. To figure out if the harness is too loose, try to punch the top of the strap between your thumb and forefinger at your child's shoulder. You shouldn't be able to grip the strap at all. If you can, it's too loose. Make sure the chest clip is at armpit level, too.If you are looking to protect your family and finances from all types of threats and damage, insurance is the way to go. Located in Renton, Humble & Davenport Insurance serves all of your
personal and
commercial insurance needs. Contact us to get started.
