Top Ten Tips

Top Ten car seat safety tips

One of the most essential pieces of equipment you’ll use for your baby is their car seat. Here are ten valuable tips to remember when using your infant car seat to help increase the safety of your little one.

1. Avoid buying second hand

It seems sensible to start at the beginning: purchasing the car seat. Car seats can be one of the pricier purchases as an expectant parent, so it can be tempting to fi nd ways to reduce the cost, but buying a second-hand car seat is not advised. If the car seat has been involved in an accident, the structure can be compromised, even if it looks ok. Even if you know, without doubt, the seat hasn’t been in an accident, wear and tear still contributes to the car seat’s reduced effi cacy. Straps can become worn and internal cushioning can become broken and weak, which you may not be able to see from the outside. This can happen if the seat has been dropped or incorrectly stored, such as being under heavier items, stored in a loft or garage, where the extremes of heat and cold can compromise the plastic moulding, and even cleaning, as some cleaning products can weaken the plastic. Buying new is the only way to ensure the seat you are using for your most precious cargo is truly safe and up to the job. 2. Buy from trained, reputable retailers

Another important factor to think about when considering the purchase of your car seat, is where you buy it from. It’s important that you visit retailers who have staff who are well-trained and highly capable when it comes to answering your questions about car seats and their use. Correctly trained personnel will ask the appropriate questions to ensure you purchase the right car seat and they’ll even be able to show you how to fi t it in your car. 3. Safest in the back seat

The safest place to fi t a rear facing seat is in the back seat of the car. It is not only dangerous, but illegal, to place a rear facing car seat in the front passenger seat if it has an airbag that cannot be switched off . In an accident, an airbag deploys with such force that it poses a signifi cant risk of harm to the baby, due to the impact with the car seat. If baby

has to travel in the front passenger seat, ensure that the airbag is disabled. 4. Get the seat regularly checked.

If you fit the seat yourself, or move it to a new car, you may wish to visit a car seat safety clinic, which are held up and down the country, in which car seat fitting experts will check the fitting for you and advise what to do if there is a problem. 5. Ensure straps aren’t too loose.

When placing baby in the seat, you should tighten the straps so that they lay in contact with baby’s body and are of a snug fit. To check you’ve pulled them to the correct tension, try pinching some of the strap at the collarbone, hip and torso areas. If you can pinch any, the straps are too loose, so adjust accordingly.

6. Avoid snowsuits and thick coats.

Whilst thinking about strap tension, it’s worth mentioning that thick clothing such as snowsuits and winter coats can make it difficult to get the required snug fit. The stuffing within the coat can make it look like the straps are tight enough, but crash tests show that this stuffing compresses in an accident, displaying that, in reality, there is too much slack in the tension of the straps to keep baby safe. In cold weather, strap baby in the seat in their normal clothing and lay blankets over the top for warmth. 7. Avoid products that didn’t come with the seat.

It can be very tempting to purchase additional cushioned covers for the straps or fleecy inserts as it seems these may make baby more comfortable, but, as with padded coats, these can mean the straps don’t fit as they should. So, avoid adding anything to the seat that didn’t come with it.

8. Ensure straps aren’t twisted.

Continuing to think about the car seat straps, make sure they aren’t twisted and that they lay flat against baby’s body. 9. Limit the time baby spends in the car seat.

It is perfectly fine for baby to fall asleep in the car seat, but as soon as you reach your destination, you should remove baby from the seat and lay them flat in a cot or pram. Studies have shown that preterm and young babies are at risk of breathing difficulties when seated for extended periods of time in the more upright position in which car seats hold them. It’s advised that you limit time in the car seat to no more than 2 hours per day and that you take regular breaks on lengthy journeys to allow baby to stretch out. It’s also advised that you have another adult in the car who can check on baby. 10. Never feed baby in the car seat.

It can be tempting to give baby milk or food whilst in a car seat, whether on the move or stationary, but this is not advisable. The position isn’t well suited to feeding and if baby begins to struggle and needs help, your ability to act quickly is hampered by them being strapped in.

Kerry educates new and expectant parents on all aspects of newborn care, including further information on car seat use and safety. To find out about classes, visit www.babies.uk.com or call 07985 500707