Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of kids!
While installing and using child safety seats may appear to be easy enough, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has estimated that close to 3 out of 4 parents do not properly use child restraints ... and if you are one of them, that child safety seat may not protect your child the way it should.
It's not only IMPORTANT to have your car seat properly installed, it's EASY!
To find an Inspection Center near you click the link below:
Child Safety Seat Inspection Station
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Car Seat Laws from State to State
Since car seat laws vary from state to state and most are still inadequate, you are much better off simply following the guidelines of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and keeping your child who has outgrown his forward-facing car seat in a belt positioning booster seat until they are at least eight years old, unless they are already 4'9" tall. This is because younger children are 'generally too small for an adult seat belt. The lap belt rides up over the stomach and the shoulder belt cuts across the neck. In a crash, this can cause critical or even fatal injuries.'
The American Academy of Pediatrics goes a little further and says that a child isn't ready for regular seat belts until they reach 'about 4'9" in height and is between 8 to 12 years of age.'
To make it even easier, remember that seat belts don't fit properly until the lap belt lays across your child's upper thighs (not his stomach) and the shoulder belt fits across his chest (not his neck).
If you need some convincing about how important this is, consider that in 2001, there were 44,642 injuries from motor vehicle accidents for children three years old and younger, and that grows to 76,248 injuries for children four to eight years of age. Although injuries from motor vehicle accidents aren't tracked as to whether or not a child was wearing a car seat, it is likely that this increase in injuries for older children was because they are less likely to be in a proper child safety seat than a younger child.
So whether you live in Florida, which only requires children up to age three to be in a car seat, or in Wyoming, where the limit is age eight, after your child is about 40 pounds and outgrows his car seat, be sure to graduate to a belt positioning booster seat instead of simply going to seat belts.
It can sometimes be hard to convince school age children about the importance of using a booster seat, especially if many of their friends are already just in seat belts. To help him/her get on board with using a booster it can help to be firm about his sitting in a booster seat and use it all of the time. Make using a booster seat one of the non-negotiable rules of your household and don't give in on the issue.
The American Academy of Pediatrics goes a little further and says that a child isn't ready for regular seat belts until they reach 'about 4'9" in height and is between 8 to 12 years of age.'
To make it even easier, remember that seat belts don't fit properly until the lap belt lays across your child's upper thighs (not his stomach) and the shoulder belt fits across his chest (not his neck).
If you need some convincing about how important this is, consider that in 2001, there were 44,642 injuries from motor vehicle accidents for children three years old and younger, and that grows to 76,248 injuries for children four to eight years of age. Although injuries from motor vehicle accidents aren't tracked as to whether or not a child was wearing a car seat, it is likely that this increase in injuries for older children was because they are less likely to be in a proper child safety seat than a younger child.
So whether you live in Florida, which only requires children up to age three to be in a car seat, or in Wyoming, where the limit is age eight, after your child is about 40 pounds and outgrows his car seat, be sure to graduate to a belt positioning booster seat instead of simply going to seat belts.
It can sometimes be hard to convince school age children about the importance of using a booster seat, especially if many of their friends are already just in seat belts. To help him/her get on board with using a booster it can help to be firm about his sitting in a booster seat and use it all of the time. Make using a booster seat one of the non-negotiable rules of your household and don't give in on the issue.
Helpful tips:
1) don't refer to it as a car seat or baby seat and instead use the terms booster seat, big boy/girl seat, or just safety seat. If your car's back seat has headrests, consider using a backless booster, which to many kids doesn't look like a 'real' car seat.
2) talk about the benefits of sitting in a booster, which besides safety include being able to look out the window, having cup holders, and being more comfortable with the arm rests, etc.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Car Seat for your pet
Let's keep our pets safe while traveling.
Ok, I know it's a little odd to think car seat for my pet... but I think it's time to bring the subject up. You have a pet, typically you like to bring that pet in the car with you, just like you bring your child. I noticed it in Massachusetts, and am noticing it more here in Vermont as well. Pet owners love their pets like their children and so why not bring them everywhere. Understandable, and completely fine, but please buckle them in properly like I do with my child. Safety for all while driving should be the number one priority.
Unfortunately I see more pet owners driving with their dog in the front seat, and not just in the front seat, but a lot of them with their pets in their laps! How on earth does anyone think that can be a safe way to drive? If I drove with my child in my lap I'd be pulled over in an instant. I don't care if it's just around the block, or on a back road, it's not safe for you, not safe for your dog, and not safe for the other drivers or pedestrians around you.
Fortunately there are car seats to keep your pet safe while transporting. I've found a few websites below that might be helpful in finding the right traveling system for your size dog. It's just like a child, different sizes require different types of restraints.
http://www.pet-super-store.com/pet-supplies/dog-car-seats/
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/dog-supplies/dog-travel/ps/c/3307/12
http://www.dinodirect.com/dog-car-seat-covers/AFFID-181/
Ok, I know it's a little odd to think car seat for my pet... but I think it's time to bring the subject up. You have a pet, typically you like to bring that pet in the car with you, just like you bring your child. I noticed it in Massachusetts, and am noticing it more here in Vermont as well. Pet owners love their pets like their children and so why not bring them everywhere. Understandable, and completely fine, but please buckle them in properly like I do with my child. Safety for all while driving should be the number one priority.
Unfortunately I see more pet owners driving with their dog in the front seat, and not just in the front seat, but a lot of them with their pets in their laps! How on earth does anyone think that can be a safe way to drive? If I drove with my child in my lap I'd be pulled over in an instant. I don't care if it's just around the block, or on a back road, it's not safe for you, not safe for your dog, and not safe for the other drivers or pedestrians around you.
Fortunately there are car seats to keep your pet safe while transporting. I've found a few websites below that might be helpful in finding the right traveling system for your size dog. It's just like a child, different sizes require different types of restraints.
http://www.pet-super-store.com/pet-supplies/dog-car-seats/
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/dog-supplies/dog-travel/ps/c/3307/12
http://www.dinodirect.com/dog-car-seat-covers/AFFID-181/
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Why My Carseat Blankie
My Carseat Blankie is what car seat safety experts are calling "Simple, Stylish, and Safe). Visit us online at www.mycarseatblankie.com. They are all handmade right here in New England!
Here's how I came up with the idea! After having my second spring time baby, I decided that those full one piece zip up pieces for my car seat were just too warm for my baby. In New England in March and April you never know if it's going to be 30 or 60 degrees!
I wanted something that was light weight, conveniently sized (so there's no extra bulk in front of the babies face like a traditional size blanket), and small enough so if my children decided to make it their "blanky" it wouldn't be to big for them to carry around all the time. And I wouldn't mind if the pattern was something I would love just as much as them...
My Carseat Blankie is the perfect size to fit with infant car seats, and then transfers well to the toddler car seat as a lap blanket. People are even using it in the stroller (they don't hand down and get caught in the wheels) and in the bouncy chair. It really is the perfect size! Some of the preschoolers and kindergardeners even use them for their baby dolls!
While doing a bit of research I recently came across an article on About.com written by a car seat safety expert, that supports the use of a smaller blanket for the car seat vs. the big puffy buntings and zip up one piece units that fit behind the baby and wrap around the car seat.
It has some really great information for new parents about car seat safety and things to think about when you're picking out how to keep your baby warm and safe in their car seat. Even now that my children are 3 and 5 my husband and I battle each winter still, on how thick their coats should be. But after you read this it will help you make the best decision for your family.
We've had our blankies in the car since they were born and they just seem to be the best and safest solution. If it's in the summer and they need to keep their legs warm because of the air conditioning, or the winter to add an additional layer of warmth, or we're on a long drive and they want to take a nap.
Please visit my web site at www.mycarseatblankie.com to see our great selection of blankies.
And TAKE 20% OFF this month by using coupon code FAN and get ready for the Fall Blankie Season.
---
Helpful links:
SafetySquad.com
Car-Seat.org
SeatCheck.org (to find a location near you for safe car seat installation)
TheCarSeatLady.com
Here's how I came up with the idea! After having my second spring time baby, I decided that those full one piece zip up pieces for my car seat were just too warm for my baby. In New England in March and April you never know if it's going to be 30 or 60 degrees!
I wanted something that was light weight, conveniently sized (so there's no extra bulk in front of the babies face like a traditional size blanket), and small enough so if my children decided to make it their "blanky" it wouldn't be to big for them to carry around all the time. And I wouldn't mind if the pattern was something I would love just as much as them...
My Carseat Blankie is the perfect size to fit with infant car seats, and then transfers well to the toddler car seat as a lap blanket. People are even using it in the stroller (they don't hand down and get caught in the wheels) and in the bouncy chair. It really is the perfect size! Some of the preschoolers and kindergardeners even use them for their baby dolls!
While doing a bit of research I recently came across an article on About.com written by a car seat safety expert, that supports the use of a smaller blanket for the car seat vs. the big puffy buntings and zip up one piece units that fit behind the baby and wrap around the car seat.
It has some really great information for new parents about car seat safety and things to think about when you're picking out how to keep your baby warm and safe in their car seat. Even now that my children are 3 and 5 my husband and I battle each winter still, on how thick their coats should be. But after you read this it will help you make the best decision for your family.
We've had our blankies in the car since they were born and they just seem to be the best and safest solution. If it's in the summer and they need to keep their legs warm because of the air conditioning, or the winter to add an additional layer of warmth, or we're on a long drive and they want to take a nap.
Please visit my web site at www.mycarseatblankie.com to see our great selection of blankies.
And TAKE 20% OFF this month by using coupon code FAN and get ready for the Fall Blankie Season.
---
Helpful links:
SafetySquad.com
Car-Seat.org
SeatCheck.org (to find a location near you for safe car seat installation)
TheCarSeatLady.com
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