Friends, we are entering the season of traveling near and far to visit loved ones to celebrate the Holidays. I am guessing you will be driving your kiddos all over town and perhaps out of town throughout the next few months, and today I want to ensure that you and your precious cargo are all SAFE. I am teaming up in partnership with TESCO direct to provide you with information regarding car seats and standard regulations of safety. Just take a moment to read the following guidelines and double check that you will in fact drive safely with your family!
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Car Safety Seats: Choosing the Right In-Car Protection for Children
Child seats and protection
Parents rightfully worry about their child’s safety and a car seat is a necessary security device that also offers peace of mind. This protection product has been shown to reduce the risk of serious injuries by 45% in the four to eight year old age range. The official figures estimate that just over 10,000 child lives were saved by the use of child car seats between 1975 and 2012. These statistics may make you want to rush out and buy the most expensive seat available but the right seat isn’t necessarily the most costly one.
Quick purchasing guidelines
The size and age of your child are more of an important factor than price when it comes to your purchasing decision. You’ll find that most seats are specifically designed to suit a range of ages; for example the Tiny Tatty Teddy Group 2-3 Car Booster Seat is perfect for children aged three up to 12 years old. If your child is younger you can choose from a range of infant-only seats such as the Nania Cosmo Disney Princess SP Plus, which offers protection for new-borns through to four years old. Also look out for infant models that can double as hand-held carriers; these will feature a seat or rocker that is easily detachable from a base that is fixed to the rear seat of your car.
Proper installation of your seat
The correct installation of your car seat is another important factor and your seat should always come with an owner’s manual. If you’re having technical issues after installing the unit then help-centers are available – these are government approved child seat inspection stations. The Safer Car organization can help you to locate a local inspection station as well as offering technical advice on installing front and rear facing child seats. Certified technicians will inspect your car seat to ensure it has been installed correctly and offers the maximum protection available.
Image by Eric Lewis, used under the Creative Commons license.
Wonderful tips and so true about our family being our precious cargo we need to keep safe this time of the tar and always. Thank you Chris so much for sharing 🙂
It’s so true Janine!! I see so so many kids riding in the front seats that are way too little. And I don’t think everyone knows the guidelines for older kids- I hope they do now! 🙂
What a great public service you have given us here, Chris! People really don’t understand the importance of strapping our babies in. My daughter was still in a booster when she was in middle school. Everyone thought we were overprotective but she is tiny and still fell within the legal range for them. It’s hard to imagine mine were ever as small as the little blonde angel in the picture above :).
I really wonder if people don’t know the guidelines? What’s worse is seeing really REALLY little kids in the FRONT seat of cars… without anything but a seatbelt- if that.
Oh that really pains me to see it! I love that you were so smart about your daughter. Good for YOU mama!!
Great and important reminders Chris. It’s so important to spend the time… and do it right.
And parents… PLEASE don’t buckle over the winter coats! Those coats compress on impact and you could be risking serious injury or death.
Thanks again for sharing Chris.
xoxo
Now see Jennifer? I did NOT know that!!! That makes SO much sense!! Thank you so much for sharing that important piece of information my friend!
Good reminders Chris!!! And it’s a struggle when the kids get older and they’re lobbying to sit in the front seat. Especially when the oldest doesn’t quite meet the requirements (weight), but the next in line does. But safety first:).
Oh that is SO hard Allie!!!! I see kids sitting in the front seat of cars ALL THE TIME that are WAY too little for it. And yes- of course kids will beg for it, and fight over it- but oh, how I wish parents would put safety first!
I saw someone last week with a small child not in a car seat. At first I was so mad, then I realized that maybe they couldn’t afford one??? Wish I had gotten their license plate so that I could offer them help (or punishment!). Great advice to remember here!
I see it all the time Lisa! I breaks my heart to see so many children riding in cars that way. 🙁
YES! I know somebody whose son is much smaller than mine and he just rides with a regular seat belt. It horrifies me but they don’t listen!!
Oh dear… yes there are SO many kids I see in the FRONT seat at pick up that are TINY!!! I don’t understand. I wish so badly the parents would put safety first!
and proper tires for your weather conditions!!! That’s a big one here in Canada. Many people use “All Season” which is not totally bad; but for our climate and heavy snow you really should consider a proper set of Winter Tires. It really does make a huge difference, so if it is in your budget – it’s money wisely spent.
GREAT POINT Leslie!!!!!! I’m SO glad you shared it. Tires are extremely critical to our driving safety!!!