Monday, March 25, 2024

How Long Should Kids Be In Car Seats

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When To Change The Earliest From A Toddler Car Seat To A Booster Seat

VERIFY: What are Georgia’s car seat laws?

We at BeSafe advise you to keep your child rear facing for as long as possible or at least until the age of four. Therefore, we recommend you to move your child to a booster seat only when all three of the following conditions are met:

  • Your child should be at least four years old
  • Your child has reached the minimum requirement of the seat this is legally binding by the regulations
  • Your child has the mental maturity to sit still in the high back booster seat. When leaning forwards a lot, your child is outside of the seats protection zone, so the seat would not protect your child as intended.
  • Why Do Children Need A Car Seat

    Safety requirements have come a long way since our parents were young.

    While they may have been riding in the front seat back then, we now know a lot more about the dangers of that kind of behavior.

    For starters, cars have gotten a lot faster over the years, which meant that our safety measures have had to increase to match.

    We also possess a lot more knowledge about the catastrophic damage an impact can have on children and adults alike. The roads have gotten busier, and our cities have become more congested.

    A correctly installed car seat does the same job as an adult seat belt in the fact that it can save a life. It can be the only thing to protect your child in a life or death situation.

    A baby or a child will not be adequately secure just by using a seat belt, so it is essential to use a properly manufactured baby car seat.

    Babies and children are more vulnerable than adults, too, particularly around the head, neck, and shoulder area. As such, they require additional support and padding.

    It is of great importance to your childs safety that you do not drive around in a car without the correct equipment for his age.

    In most, if not all developed countries, having a child seat is a legal requirement, as is wearing a seatbelt.

    Unfortunately, however, car crashes are still one of the leading causes of injury and death for children in the US.

    Where Your Child Should Ride And Airbag Safety

    Children under the age of 13 should ride in the back seat. Sitting in the front seat could cause serious injury if the airbag goes off .

    • If a child must ride in the front seat for any reason, the front seat air bag should be OFF, the car seat or booster needs to be secured and the seat pushed back as far as possible.
    • Never place a rear-facing child in the front seat of a vehicle unless the front air bag can be switched OFF manually .

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    Is It Time To Say Good

    Your child may be as old as 12 before the seat belt fits him or her without the booster, but its important to wait until that point for each child. If you think your 8- to 12-year-old is getting close, you can do this five-step test to determine if theyre ready to ride without the booster. If you answer NO to any of these questions, we suggest you continue to use the booster seat and try again in 3 or 4 months.

    The five step test:

  • Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
  • Do the childs knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
  • Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
  • Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
  • Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?
  • And if you ever see your child put the shoulder belt behind his or her back, ask that they put it back immediately. If its an ongoing issue, it may be indication that you need to pull the booster back out and use it for a while longer.

    Are you considering an inflatable car seat for your child? Learn more about inflatable car seat safety, how old your child should be to use one, and more.

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    When To Turn Your Babys Car Seat Around

    Rear Facing Past 40 lbs

    According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, all children should ride in a rear-facing seat as long as possiblespecifically until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car seat model. Again, there is no age limit its based on height and weight.

    Most convertible seats have limits that will allow children to ride rear-facing for 2 years or more, says the organization. When infants outgrow their rear-facing-only seat, a convertible seat installed rear facing is needed.

    Dr. Hoffman agrees with this recommendation. Our advice is you stay rear-facing as long as possible because of physicsuntil the seat says you need to turn around, he says. Theres no reason given the seats we have on the market now a child should ever have to be forward-facing before their second birthday. He adds: The basic principle for everything is you delay transitions as long as possible.

    The good news is that because of the updated recommendations to keep children rear-facing for as long as possible, many car seat manufacturers offer options for extended rear-facing that will keep your child comfortable and safe.

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    Myself And Others Will Be

    Yes, a car seat is another thing to schlep with you on the endless trek through the airport. What do we use to keep the car straight or make it turn? When to turn around babys car seat. This link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.

    If your car doesnt have a control to adjust the seat height, sit on a cushion to help keep your hips level with your knees.

    A convertible car seatalso referred to as a toddler seatis designed to face either backward or forward in the car.

    How Do You Find The Right Car Seat

    The best car seat for your child, explains the AAP, is one that fits your childs size, is correctly installed, fits well in your vehicle and is used properly every time you drive.

    You should not judge the car seat by price alone, and you should never use a car seat that has been damaged, is missing manufacturers label or has an expired manufacturers date. You should periodically check to see if your seat has been recalled, and you should never use a seat that has been in a car crash.

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    But My Childs Convertible Car Seat Only Goes To 20 Or 22 Pounds Rear

    Your car seat is confusing you! Really! All convertible seats on the market in the US have for many, many years allowed rear-facing until at least 30 pounds, with most going to 40 or more pounds rear-facing. However, the labels on the car seat confuse many families, leading them to think a child must be forward-facing starting at 22 lbs.

    Why? Because our government requires manufacturers to include some exceptionally confusing wording on the labels of every convertible car seat . The sentence that confuses most people is Use only in a rear-facing position when using it with an infant weighing less than 20 lbs. What this sentence is trying to say, is that for kids who weigh less than 20 lbs. the only direction you are allowed to install this car seat is rear-facing i.e. a child under 20 pounds may never ride forward-facing in this car seat. However, many people confuse this to mean that after 20 pounds you must turn the car seat forward-facing which is NOT what it is trying to say.

    In another sentence, likely very close to where you found the confusing one, youll see the rear-facing maximum weight for your convertible seat, likely 40 pounds or even higher.

    If Your Child Is Fussy In The Car Seat

    Length of time to keep children in rear-facing car seats | FOX 7 Austin

    Kids often fuss because they are strapped in, not because they are rear-facing. To reduce fussiness in a rear-facing child:

    • If your child can sit upright unsupported, sit the car seat more upright to give the child a better view out the window.
    • Remove the vehicle head restraint to allow the rear-facing child a better view out the window.
    • Use music to help calm your child.

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    Car Seats Boosters And Car Safety For Babies And Children

    Is your child’s car seat installed correctly? Several Safe Kids coalition affiliates provide free car seat education and inspection where a certified technician can help with hands-on instruction and installation. Find a car seat inspection station near you.

    You can also contact a certified child passenger safety technician at .

    The Best Way To Protect Your Child

    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , car accidents are a leading cause of death for children in the U.S. In 2019, more than 600 children age 12 and younger died in motor vehicle crashes, and more than 91,000 were injured.

    However, the CDC also states that car seat use reduces the risk for injury in crashes by 71% to 82% for children, when compared with seat belt use alone.

    The updated recommendations also say that once a car seat has been turned around, it should remain forward-facing until your child reaches the seats weight and length limits. Then, your child should start using a booster seat. Children who exceed booster seat limits should use a lap and shoulder seat belt in the back seat of the car until theyre 13 years old.

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    Bringing Your Newborn Home In A Rear

    Youll need a current, infant seat properly installed before you can leave the hospital with your newborn baby.

    Typically at the hospital, youll need to have whoever is driving you home, bring up your childs car seat for inspection. The nurse will have you place your baby in the car seat and they will help you make sure they are securely fastened.

    While a generous relative may offer to give you their old car seat, there are expiration dates on car seats so youll want to check the manufacturers website.

    When you install your car seat base, you can bring it to a fire or police station for a safety check as well. These professionals are trained in car seat safety and they can help you make sure your car seat is installed correctly.

    The Dreaded Motion Sickness Wont It Help To Turn Around My Child

    New state law will mandate booster seats for kids up to 8 years old ...

    The long and short: most kids do not puke less when forward-facing compared to rear-facing.

    Weve got lots of information on motion-sickness over here including an explanation of why it is believed to occur, things you can do to decrease the chance of your kid puking, and how to minimize the mess and clean up if your kid does puke.

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    Car Seats Booster Seats And Seat Belts

    Motor vehicle injuries are a leading cause of death among children. Many children may be riding at risk because of improper car seat use — or how and where they are sitting. It is important to use the right type of restraint based upon your childs age and size. As your child ages, follow these four steps one step at a time to keep your child safe in the car.

    Child Car Seat Quick Tips

    Here are some things you might need to keep in mind about transitioning your child from rear-facing to forward-facing:

    • When its time for your child to face forward, use a forward-facing seat that features a harness. Remember to use that forward-facing seat for as long as possible or until they reach the limits for it.
    • Once your child reaches that limit, you should start using a booster seat until they are old enough to use the car seat belt. Most children will need a booster seat until they are approximately 49, typically until 10-12 years of age. Once they stop using a booster seat, ensure they use both the lap and shoulder seat belts for protection .

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    What Car Seat Should My Child Be In

    Car seats for infants and toddlers

    From the moment you leave the hospital, your bundle of joy should be safely strapped into a rear-facing infant car seat with a five-point harness. A five-point harness has two straps that go over your childs shoulders and snap into a buckle around their waist. The five points are the two shoulders, two hips and in between the legs. Mount infant car seats in the backseat of your vehicle, facing the rear window.

    Dr. Mudd recommends parents try to prepare for their first car ride home from the hospital by having the car seat installation checked by a local fire station or childrens hospital. Also be sure to read the car seat manual or try watching a YouTube video of how to use that specific car seat. Having the car seat set up correctly and ready to go ahead of time can reduce stress and help parents feel more confident about taking their little ones home for the first time.

    Choose: Rear-facing-only car seats with a five-point harness or rear-facing convertible car seats with a five-point harness

    When to switch to a forward-facing car seat: Its about weight and height, not age. Look at the height and weight limits on your infant car seat. Rear-facing-only seats typically range from 26 to 36 inches and 22 to 35 pounds.

    Convertible car seats tend to have higher limits. Thats because you can eventually turn them around to be forward-facing when your childs ready, so they grow with your kid.

    Car seats for toddlers and preschoolers

    Register Your Car Seat

    How Long Should You Keep a Child in a Car Seat?

    Congratulationsyou chose the right car seat and installed it correctly. Now its time to register your car seat with the manufacturer to receive recalls and safety notices so your child can remain safe. Also, you can sign up with NHTSA to receive e-mail alerts about car seat and booster seat recalls.

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    One Of The Most Common Questions We Are Receiving Is: When Is The Right Time For My Child To Change To The Next Car Seat And This Is A Great And Very Important Question Different Regulations Focussing On Weight Height And Age And Can Make It Quite Confusing We Have Therefore Collected An Overview Of When To Change Car Seats For Your Child

    At BeSafe, we categorize the different child car seat stages in a childs life into three groups:

    3) Car seats for older children

    When choosing a seat for your newborn, there are two paths you can choose from: either to use an infant carrier from approx. 0-1 year, followed by a toddler seat until approx. 4 years or to use a 2-in-1 seat from 0 to approx. 4 years.

    When using such a 2-in-1 seat, it is only relevant in this article for you to know when to change to a seat for older children. When to remove the baby insert of your 2-in-1 seat is defined by the user manual of your seat.

    Arent Rear Car Accidents Just As Bad

    Statistically, rear impacts account for around 25 percent of all accidents. When they do happen, they usually have less serious injuries compared to frontal or side crashes .

    Rear car accidents dont usually carry as much force given that both cars are usually moving in the same direction. This means that the impact wont be as strong as other types of accidents. Besides, rear-facing car seats are designed to absorb the impact.

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    What If Were In A Car Accident With Rear Impact

    If your child is in a rear-facing car seat, they will still be sitting further away from the point of impact on a rear collision. When theres a car accident with rear impact, both cars are moving in the same direction which means forces are spread on both cars equally. Whereas in a frontal car accident, both cars are immediately stopped at their speed causing more force. Plus, theres a longer crumple zone at the back of your car, even if you have a small car and boot!

    What Is The Law For Booster Seats In Illinois

    How Long Does a Child Need a Car Seat or Booster Seat?

    The Illinois law does not state specifically the booster seat requirements on age, weight, and height. The law just says:

    Children under the age of 8 years should be secured in an appropriate child restraint system. The child restraint system can be a booster seat.

    Interpreting the law with the rules from NHTSA, your child can use a booster once they reach the highest weight or height limit of their forward-facing car seats.

    That typically happens around the age of 5-7 years, 65 pounds in weight and 49 inches in height.

    Booster seats must be used with the vehicles lap and shoulder belt, never just a lap belt.

    The lap belt should lie low across the upper thighs, not the stomach. The shoulder belt should rest snugly across the shoulder and chest, not across the neck or face.

    The top of the childs ears should not be above the top of the back of a booster seat with a back.

    If using a backless booster seat, the vehicles head restraint must be positioned properly.

    Secure the booster seat with the vehicles seat belt when not in use.

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