What A Weekly Infant Car Seat In Front Seat Project Can Change Your Life
Can an Infant Car Seat Be Placed in Front Seat?
As children grow out of their infant car seats they can transition into convertible or all-in-one seats. These car seats can be rear-facing or forward-facing, but they must to meet certain weight and age specifications.
Car seats should not be placed on top of a car seat that has airbags because the force of the deployed airbag can be fatal for children and babies.
1. The 1.5 Inch Rule
Many parents ask whether the infant car seat could be placed in front of the vehicle driver's seat. The answer is always no. The reason is simple: When a crash occurs the child's head may be hit by an airbag if in the front seat. The result is that the airbag can cause harm or even death to the infant.
This is the reason why infant car seats are designed to be rear-facing only. In the event of a collision the back of the seat will rest against the rear of your car seat. This is the best security for the infant.
A rear-facing car seat protects your child's neck and head better than a front-facing seat that offers only the most basic protection. The headrest keeps your child from falling off the shoulder straps in a crash. The harness holds the chest clip up above the shoulders.
It is important to keep in mind that there are ZERO documented cases of kids in forward-facing car seats breaking their legs when they strike the back of the front seat. This occurs when a child's feet rise and become trapped against the back of the seat, putting enormous pressure on the bones of the leg. There is no reason to expose your child to the risk for this.
There are numerous programs across the country for parents who meet the criteria to receive discounted or free infant car seats. This is a great opportunity to get your child into an appropriate car seat before they outgrow it and use it in a safe manner for a long time.
The majority of new infant car seats come with a base that they click into and out of, which makes them much easier to use than older models. This feature is particularly useful when traveling with children, as you can keep the car seat in place and ready for use even when you change vehicles.
Before you buckle your child in check if the back of the car seat will be in contact with the vehicle seat's back by measuring the middle of the seat and measuring it using a tape to determine. This space can be tested with many things, such as the blade of a key, or the length of the wireless earbuds. Examine the directions for the car seat and the owner's manual of your vehicle to see if the angle can be adjusted to remove the space.
2. Harness Position
In infant car seats as well as swings, bouncers, strollers, and other toys for children, newborns and preemies can get into a dangerous situation with their chests pressed against their chins. In the event of a collision they could be injured or crushed by the chest clip. To prevent this from happening, make sure that the straps for your shoulders begin a little below and then come upwards over the shoulders of the child and be sure to tighten them. The straps should be secure enough to be able to pinch any excess fabric together - this is called the Pinch Test. Winter coats and other heavy outer layers can interfere with the Pinch Test, so remove them before you buckle your child into their seat.
The chest clip is designed to break during a crash, but it may compress on a child's throat in the event that it's too high or when the chest straps aren't tight enough. It is also essential that the chest clip not in the neck opening of the collar. the buckle should be placed at armpit level.
During a crash, rear-facing infants can slide up the seat and the harness straps need to be able to support the child's head and neck. It is essential to put the straps on the shoulders. If the straps are too high they could slide over the baby's ears or slide through the opening in their neck, and if they're too loose they can move up to the child's nose.
Make sure that the straps for your child's shoulders are securely fitted and in the slots above or at the child's shoulders. Infants may require an infant insert (often included in the car seat), to lift their shoulders until they reach this slot. Some infant car seats have built-in angle indicators or adjustors to help with this and you can always check the instructions included with the seat.
3. Rear-Facing Only
While some parents may be tempted to flip their infant car seat around to face forward due to their child's legs becoming too short in the rear-facing position, there is really no reason to do so. The rear-facing seat is safer than a forward-facing one because in the event of a collision, the baby's body will tense against the seat, and their neck and spine will be supported. Forward-facing children's bodies are thrown backwards by the vehicle and can cause serious injuries.
Additionally, many infant car seats come with a built-in angle indicator so you can make sure that the seat is correctly installed. You also need to ensure that your child's head is level against the seat, and that the harness straps are put over their shoulders, not under their arms or bent. You should be able to pinch a small amount of material at their shoulders to ensure that the harness is tight enough. Check the crotch strap to make sure it is at the same height as the armpits and not at the waist. You should also read the manual for your infant car seat so you are aware of how to use it correctly.
The majority of manufacturers recommend that children ride rear-facing in their car seats until they reach at least 1 year old or until they reach the height and weight limits of their specific car seat. Some states have laws requiring infants to be rear-facing for at minimum two years.
If you own a vehicle that has only one back seat, install the infant car seat in the middle of the vehicle so you can easily see your child's reflection in your rearview mirror without having to lean over. Installing the car seat on your driver's side will also make it easier to get your child into and out of the seat.
If your vehicle has two rear seats, the infant car seat can be set on either side, as long as it's not in front of the airbag on the passenger side. However, if you have to decide between installing the infant car seat on the left or right side of the vehicle, place it on the driver's side.
4. Booster Seats
Children who have outgrown their infant car seats due to weight and height will require a booster until the seat belt is properly fitted. This can only happen when they are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall and have reached the top of their headrest (check the seat manufacturer's recommendations for exact measurements).
Booster seats help to position the shoulder belt and lap properly. They also decrease the distance the child's head moves during the crash, which lowers the risk of injuries. Head movement is the most common reason behind motor vehicle crashes, which are the leading fatality for children between the ages of 4 and 8.
If a booster isn't properly used the lap belt can slide across a child's abdomen and cause serious injuries in the event of an accident. This can be avoided by using a booster with lap belt guides to prevent the lap belt from slipping over arm rests or sliding on a child's stomach.
please click for source are equipped with small handles, armrests or guide slots that aid to place the lap belt low and flat across a child's upper thighs. This will ensure that the lap belt starts and stays on the child's strong hipbones, rather than moving upwards into their abdominal area in the event of a crash.
Certain booster seats feature the seatbelt locking mechanism which locks the seatbelt in place when a child is seated in them. This can stop the lapbelt from moving up and over the child's abdomen. This will keep the seat belt from being pulled over a child's face. This can lead to airway obstruction and hypoxia as well as neck strain.