When it comes to parenting small children, proper car seat installation and usage tend to come with many misunderstandings. Yet, adequate car seat utilization is critical when it comes to your child’s safety.
Below are some common toddler car seat mishaps that can be dangerous yet easily avoidable.
- Using an Expired, Used, or Recalled Car Seat
Many hand-me-downs and partially deteriorated goods are often still safe to use, but when it comes to car seats, it’s a huge no-no. An expired car seat, one you found at a yard sale, or one that has been recalled due to a safety hazard: they’re all bad options as they are all likely to be less effective in keeping your toddler safe.
- Not Strapping Down the Car Seat
It’s not enough to simply strap your toddler into their seat. The car seat itself must also be adequately strapped down. Otherwise, the car seat can shift, and if there’s an accident, it can lunge into the air.
- Flipping The Car Seat Too Soon
As your tiny tot’s legs begin to lengthen, you might be quick to want to flip their car seat front-facing. However, your child is able to stay rear-facing for longer than you might realize. Plus, it’s the safer option at this age.
- Only Buckling Your Toddler in Partially
Busy times call for desperate measures, but partially buckling your toddler in is a bad idea. Not only are toddlers escape artists, but a partial buckle is far less effective in terms of safety.
- Failing to Align the Chest Clip at Their Shoulders
For optimal safety in the event of a hard brake or vehicular collision, the chest clip of your toddler’s car seat must be in the right position. It should always be aligned with their shoulders to keep them secure in their seat.
- Leaving the Infant Inserts in
If you have a car seat that converts from an infant seat to a toddler seat, always remove the infant inserts when the manufacturer recommends. Not only are infant inserts no longer necessary at a certain point, but they can restrict space, make it difficult to fit your toddler in their seat, and even pose a safety hazard if they aren’t removed in time.
- Not Tightening the Harness
A loose car seat harness is less likely to keep your child contained within their seat if a car accident occurs. It can also give your toddler the opportunity to escape mid-drive.
- Strapping Them in When They’re Wearing a Puffy Jacket
No matter how much of a rush you’re in, always remove your toddler’s puffy jacket before placing them in their car seat. The padding from a thick jacket flattens in an accident, which would then leave too much room between your child and their harness. This extra space provides less protection for your child.
- Using Your Car Seat After an Accident
Even if it looks okay, car seats should be replaced if they were involved in a car accident. This is because the structure of the car seat can be compromised from the force of the collision, even if you can see it. Better to be safe than sorry!
Apart from picking the right car seat, installing it correctly, and strapping your toddler adequately, it’s also important to choose a high-safety-rated vehicle. Northside Auto Group San Antonio has a selection of vehicles to keep your whole family safe.
Conclusion
The safety of your toddler matters most. Yet, it’s the little mistakes we make that can set them up for danger. With the latter common toddler car seat mistakes in mind, you can better prepare your toddler for on-the-road safety.
