Is it enough?
You've got a baby on the way, and planning is in full swing. Just like all parents, you want to protect your child, and you're taking steps to do anything you can to keep your child safe. If you don't yet have a car seat, you have likely thought about which one is the best—and the safest. You're probably willing to spend more, maybe a lot more, to protect your child with the best car seat.
According to the National Highway Traffic & Safety Administration, almost 84 percent of infant car seats are used or installed incorrectly. That's more than four out of five seats. What's so alarming about this statistic is that children in misused car seats are not fully protected in an accident. Research tells us that properly using the appropriate child restraint system is the very best way to protect your child in a motor vehicle collision. Big cars with extra safety features are nice, but nothing takes the place of using your car seat properly.
No matter which type of car seat you choose, no matter how much money you spend on it and how good you are at understanding and following the installation instructions, the likelihood that you will improperly install your car seat is high. Very high.
It's Not Your Fault
You're not alone. According to Brooks Watson, Safety Squad co-founder and CPS technician, "the process is not designed for parents to get right. The problem is that all cars and all car seats are different, and car seat installation manuals are not car-specific. This makes proper car seat fit difficult to achieve without the help of a professional. Higher end vehicles are often more challenging because of seat contouring and other features meant to enhance comfort for the adult passengers". The process is even further complicated by poor and/or conflicting messaging from organizations and media, as well as suggestions from other well-meaning parents who were told the wrong thing or haven't kept up with the changes in safety recommendations.
Fortunately, There is Help
Certified car seat technicians receive training through a 32 hour national training course. There are a few ways you can locate the services of certified CPS technicians:
- Visit www.seatcheck.org – enter your zip code for a list of certified places
- Call the hospital you are delivering at to see if they offer services by certified technicians
- Check with your local government municipalities
Be Smart About Finding Help
Ask questions before letting someone help you. Find someone with the correct training and certification – not just someone who wants to help. Ask if they are a "Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician" or Certified CPS tech. They will have a wallet card that serves as verification. Not all municipalities utilize the services of certified professionals. For instance, in the city of Chicago, you cannot drive into any of the firehouses or police stations and find the help of certified CPS technicians. Be prepared that some services are free, and some are fee based. Some services are better than others. Questions to ask before engaging in a service:
- •Are you technicians certified CPS technicians?
- How long have they been a technician?
- How many car seats installations have they worked with?
- Do I receive one-on-one training, with my particular seat and vehicle?
- Can I make an appointment, or do I have to wait in line?
- What is included with your service? Is it a "seat check" service, or will you work with us so we are educated in the installation/use process?
Key Points About Motor Vehicle Safety
Steve Breden, Safety Squad co-founder and certified CPS technician, offers the below reminders & suggestions:
- Motor vehicle collisions are number one killer of small children
- A properly fitted car seat can reduce fatal injuries in motor vehicle accidents:
o 71 percent for infants
o 54 percent for toddlers - The back seat is always safer than the front seat, and all children under the age of 13 must now sit in the back seat
Rear-facing Car Seats are Always Safer Than Forward-facing Seats
There is a great risk of crash-related injury if you move to forward facing seats too early. Your toddler should stay rear-facing as long as possible, close to the 30 pound point. Or, up until the rear facing limit of their 30 pound infant seat, or 30-35 pound convertible seat. Rear facing is 4 X safer.
Don't Delay – Make an Appointment Today
It may take a few weeks to find a certified service and obtain an appointment, especially if you are using a free service. Don't wait until the last minutes. Start looking around by 30-32 weeks. Your car seat should be installed and you should be familiar in its use by the time you are 36 weeks.
For more information about car seat safety, read the American Academy of Pediatrics' Car Seat Safety Guide (www.aap.org). The Safety Squad, a Chicago-based team of emergency service, medical and teaching professionals, also provides information about individual car seats, car seat service and installation, and recalls.
