You’re ready for action: your house is prepped with baby gates and padded corners, the diaper bag is packed, and the changing table is set up. But when you are setting up a safe environment for your newborn, don’t forget the car. Remember the 5 C’s of infant car safety and you’ll be good to go.
Car seat
The most important aspect of car safety for a baby is the car seat. Installation of the car seat can be time-consuming and confusing, but don’t let your frustration keep you from completing the job. A car seat that is not put together correctly won’t protect the baby and could even endanger it.
Follow these safety steps for setting up car seats for your infant:
- NEVER put an infant in the front seat of a vehicle. This is especially true if the vehicle has a passenger airbag
- Infants and toddlers younger than 2 should always ride in the back seat facing the rear of the car, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The seat should also be reclined at a 45-degree angle; this position is best for the baby’s neck.
- Harness straps should be snug, lie flat and untwisted, and lie at or below shoulder level.
- Dress your child in clothing that allows the harness straps to fit between your baby’s legs. Make sure there is not too much slack in the clothing so that the harness fits snugly around your child’s body.
- Prevent your infant from slouching by padding the seat with blankets or rolled-up diapers.
- Keep the carrying handle for the car seat down when you are in the car.
- New seats have top tether straps that bolt to the seat to the car’s interior and prevent it from flying forward in a crash. If you have a new seat, make sure this is properly installed. There are tether kits available for older seats.
NEVER use a seat that:
- Is too old: You should always use seats younger than 6 years old, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III).
- Doesn’t have a manufacturer label: You should check the recall status of your seat. You can do so by calling the Auto Safety Hotline at 888-DASH-2-DOT.
- Has been in a crash: Even if the seat looks fine, it might have been weakened during the accident.
- Doesn’t come with instructions: It is imperative that you install the seat correctly. Improperly installed seats can become death traps for infants. Car seats are complicated, and it is crucial that they are set up correctly.
- Is missing parts: When car seats are so expensive, buying a used seat can be an attractive option. These, however, are frequently missing important parts. Make sure you have all the parts necessary to keep your baby safe.
Clutter
Do a clean sweep of your car, dumping trash and small objects (caps and coins). Clutter can become a projectile in a crash, and it can also serve as a choking hazard for your child. If your baby has older siblings, establish a no-toy and no-food zone around the baby’s seat. Small action figures, dolls, accessories, or toy cars could become choking hazards that could cause your baby to asphyxiate or cause you to crash the car attempting to save him/her.
Chemicals
When you are cleaning out your car to welcome your new baby, remember not to use chemicals that are caustic or too strong for the baby’s lungs or skin. Read labels carefully.
Cover
Install sunshields to protect the baby’s eyes and skin, including either tinted films or pull shades. Your baby will not be facing you, so you will not be able to see the glare in the baby’s eyes. Sunshields also protect your baby from harmful UV radiation.
Care kit
You should always keep an emergency kit in your car with first aid supplies, blankets, bottled water, and nonperishable food. Cater to your family’s new addition by adding a can of formula, baby food, and a sterilized bottle.
You wouldn’t hesitate to baby-proof your home when you’re expecting. Don’t forget that vehicles must be baby-proofed as well. Remember these 5 C’s of infant safety for your car and get your infant safely home.
Source: AutoInsurance
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