As parents, ensuring the safety of our children is always our top priority, especially when traveling. The Driscoll Car Seat Program is dedicated to providing you with the expertise and resources necessary to guarantee your child’s car seat is installed correctly, offering you peace of mind on every drive. We understand that proper car seat installation can be daunting, but with the right guidance, you can significantly enhance your child’s safety on the road.
Key Recommendations for Car Seat Safety
To maximize your child’s protection, it’s crucial to adhere to established safety guidelines. Here are essential recommendations for safely installing and utilizing your car seat:
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Rear-Facing Seats and Airbags: Never, under any circumstance, place a rear-facing car seat in the front seat where there is an active airbag. The force of an airbag deployment can cause serious injury or fatality to a child in a rear-facing seat. Always install rear-facing seats in the back seat.
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Extended Rear-Facing: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children should remain in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the highest weight or height limit allowed by their car seat manufacturer. Many modern car seats accommodate rear-facing use up to 40 pounds or more. Always consult your car seat’s instruction manual for specific limits. Keeping children rear-facing for as long as possible offers superior protection for their head, neck, and spine in the event of a crash.
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Harness Strap Positioning: Correct harness strap positioning is vital for both rear-facing and forward-facing car seats. For rear-facing seats, ensure the harness straps are at or below your child’s shoulders. Once your child transitions to a forward-facing seat, the harness straps should be positioned at or above their shoulders, utilizing the reinforced harness slots as indicated in your car seat manual.
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Snug Harness and Retainer Clip: A snug harness is critical to restrain your child effectively in a crash. The harness straps should be snug enough that you cannot pinch any excess webbing at the collarbone. Ensure the straps lie flat and are not twisted. The chest clip, also known as the harness retainer clip, should be positioned at armpit level to keep the harness straps properly located on your child’s shoulders.
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Consult Your Manuals: Thoroughly reading and understanding the owner’s manuals for both your car seat and your vehicle is non-negotiable. These manuals provide specific instructions and crucial information on proper installation and usage tailored to your specific car seat and vehicle.
Free Car Seat Inspections with the Driscoll Car Seat Program
The Driscoll Car Seat Program, under the Injury Prevention Program, proudly offers free car seat inspections to the community. Our certified technicians are dedicated to ensuring your child’s car seat is the correct type for their age, weight, and height, and that it is installed correctly in your vehicle. We understand the complexities of car seat installation and are here to simplify the process and give you confidence in your child’s safety.
During an inspection, our certified technicians will:
- Check for car seat recalls or expiration dates.
- Ensure the car seat is appropriate for your child’s age, weight, and height.
- Inspect the car seat’s installation, including harness tightness and angle.
- Educate you on how to correctly use and adjust your car seat.
- Answer any questions you may have about car seat safety.
Car seat inspection events are regularly scheduled and are open to the public. For personalized attention, we also offer individual car seat checks by appointment at our office. To schedule your free car seat inspection with the Driscoll Car Seat Program, please call (361) 694-6700. Protect your precious cargo – schedule your inspection today!
About the Injury Prevention Program
The Injury Prevention Program is committed to fostering safer communities through education and training. We provide comprehensive training to a wide range of professionals and community members, including health professionals, parents, students, emergency services personnel, and law enforcement. Our team of certified instructors is qualified to deliver the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Standardized Technical Training program, certifying individuals as Child Passenger Safety Technicians. Through programs like the Driscoll Car Seat Program, we strive to empower individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to prevent injuries and save lives, especially when it comes to child passenger safety.
