Safer Child Products

As part of being a Child Passenger Safety Technician, I must stay up to date with new products and car seat technology. 

Last week I completed an online course, or webinar, that debunked many car seat myths and discussed many new car seats that were introduced in 2011.  It was fascinating to see the many new products.  Car seats that have Higher Harness Weights, often 65 or 70 pounds, and some booster seats which last as high as 110 or even 120 pounds.

Many car seats have newer, clearer lock off systems and color coded labels! 

I love that many companies are extending their expiration dates to make these combination and high harness weight seats viable for extended use, but think about it.  If you buy a 3 in 1 seat that can be used Rear Facing, Forward Facing and as a Belt Positioning Booster, but it expires in 6 years from date of Manufacture, will your child really get to maximize this seat? The seat may already be close to 1 year when you purchase it. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that we keep our children Rear Facing until at least age 2 and many car seat companies are increasing the RF weight limits for their new seats.  If you are able to keep your child rear facing until they reach the highest height and weight limit for the seat, perhaps they will be 2 ½ before you turn them forward facing.  With a 70 pound Forward Facing weight limit my 10 year old would still be in a harness!  Buy wait, you need to factor in height as well.  The top of a child’s ears must not be above the top of the car seat shell.  So granted, I may have gotten many years use out of the seat, but was it worth buying a 3 in 1 rather than a convertible that is only RF and FF? 

Did you know that Evenflo requires at least 1 ½ inches between the rear facing child car seat and the seat back of the front seat in front of it?  That is important to take into consideration when you are buying a seat to fit your car as well as your child.

It would be nearly impossible for me to impart all the knowledge I learned during my training.  Every car seat is different and ever car seat manufacturer has different requirements.  I encourage you to read your car seat manual and keep it in the car with your vehicle’s owner’s manual.  Use your vehicle’s owner’s manual as a reference tool to determine proper car seat placement in your vehicle, use of latch and seatbelt/ airbag requirements.

I hope this helps you to understand and appreciate the importance of Child Passenger Safety Technicians and getting your child’s car seat inspected. This allows you get 1:1 attention and information specific to your car seat and your child.

For information on a checkup or community safety event go to http://www.safekids.org/in-your-area/events/?event_type_category=community-event&submit.x=21&submit.y=8&submit=submit

Also, you can call your local Police or Fire Station to inquire if they provide this service.  DO NOT USE 911 FOR THIS.  ONLY CALL 911 IN AN EMERGENCY.

Let’s keep all our children safe!