How to keep your child safe in their car seat
Parenting

How to Keep Your Child Safe in their Car Seat

When it comes to child car safety, you might think placing them in an appropriate car seat is the only thing you need to worry about. However, a new study has shown that a shocking two-thirds of children aren’t actually safe in their car seats.

There’s a lot of mistakes you can make when using a car seat so it’s important to know exactly how to use them. 

It’s also worth considering buying your pram and buggy from the same supplier and manufacturer, as you may find the items work in tandem together. We have used a Nuna car seat for our children in the past and it’s good to see that they have stylish and compact strollers in their range as well. I particularly like this https://nunababy.com/au/mixx-full-feature-stroller/  stroller which has the added bonus of being able to be pushed with one hand – perfect if you’re sipping your coffee on the move or have the hand of a toddler to hold.

Whilst it’s important to think about your pram and buggy, choosing the right car set is vital and here you’ll discover some great tips on how to keep your child safe in their car seat. 

Check you’re using the right car seat

It’s common for parents to assume that any car seat is sufficient enough. However, did you know there is no “one size fits all” car seat on the market? Instead, you’ll find some seats don’t fit into certain models. So, if you’re looking to buy a new car from the AA for example, you’ll want to check your existing car seat will comfortably fit the new model, or you’ll need to invest in a new one.

Making sure you have the right seat for your car’s make and model is extremely important. Otherwise, the seat might not fit correctly, and this would pose a huge safety risk.  

Make sure the seat is installed correctly

Once you know you’re using the correct seat, it’s time to focus on making sure it’s installed correctly. Ideally, you’ll want to get a professional to install it for you. However, if you don’t have the budget or you’re insistent on fitting it yourself, you’ll want to pay attention to the guidelines provided.

The seat should be snug, meaning it shouldn’t move around when you push it. It may be worth having a look on a site such as YouTube to see if there’s any visual tutorials you can follow for your specific car seat.

Checking for a snug fit

When your child is placed into the car seat, they should fit snugly into it.  You’ll want to avoid dressing them in bulky clothing as this can actually prove dangerous in the case of an accident. If they have worn something bulky, make sure to readjust the car seat harness when putting them back in the seat in thinner clothing.    

Check the seat regularly for wear and tear

Finally, checking the car seat for wear and tear frequently is extremely important. This is especially true if you have a seat that’s designed to be used for years. Don’t just assume it will be durable enough to last. Any signs of wear and tear need to be picked up early.

These are just some of the best tips to follow to ensure your child is safe in their car seat. Ideally, it is a good idea to have a professional install the seat for you. That way, you know it’s been done correctly and should hopefully remove that worry many parents have when purchasing and fitting a car seat. 

Remember – there’s more to car safety than car seats

Used properly, car seats do a lot to keep your child safe.  They are, however, only one part of car safety.  Here are some other points to keep in mind.

Car safety starts with the car.  There’s simply no two ways about this.  As soon as you have children, you need to have a reliable, safe family car like a Pentagon Vauxhall. You also need to ensure that your car is properly maintained and promptly repaired. This means being honest about your own skill level. If you can’t do it properly, take your car to a professional who can.

Make good use of your glove compartment and boot. You should already be carrying basic safety equipment like a first aid kit.  If you’re not, then now is the time to get kitted out with them. Put a note in your phone to reassess these every quarter. That way you can change your equipment with the season.

With children, you also need to check if there is any age-specific equipment you need. For example, you might need child-appropriate medicine or medical tools.  It’s always a good idea to have some form of written information on child-specific first aid. This means that you can access it even if you’ve lost internet connection (or battery).

Last but not least, make sure you take regular breaks on long journeys. Use these to take your child out of their car seat (unless they’re asleep) and get them to move. This helps their circulation.

Claire x

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