If you’re heading on a cross-country road trip with your little ones, it’s imperative to have a properly installed child safety seat. When you’ve got your sunscreen, sun hat, luggage and traveling soundtrack ready to go, make sure you follow these tips to ensure that your child’s car seat is installed correctly before you head out on your trip.
When temperatures heat up, families hit the road. That’s why Buckle Up for Life, the national child passenger safety program from Cincinnati Children’s and Toyota, has released some handy tips for parents with small children.
Inch & Pinch Test
To perform the Inch Test, simply grab the child safety seat at the back and bottom and pull it from front to back and side to side. If you notice that the seat moves over an inch in either direction, it’s an indication that you need to tighten it up. To perform the Pinch Test, all you have to do is pinch the car seat strap located over your child’s shoulder. If the strap can be pinched and wrinkles up, add more tension to the strap until it is snug.
No Car Seat Rentals Allowed
Just because you rent a car, that doesn’t mean you have to rent a car seat, too. With rental car seats, there’s no telling what the product’s crash history or expiration date is, so it’s best to use your own. In addition, many airlines allow passengers to check car seats for free.
Don’t Put Anything Between the Car Seat & Your Child
To ensure the safety of your little one, only use products and accessories that have been approved by the manufacturer of your child’s car seat. Placing any materials underneath it could hinder the ability of the child safety seat to properly protect your child in the event of an accident. Even if something sticky gets beneath the seat, don’t be tempted to throw a towel under there. Just make a note to clean up the mess when you get home.
In addition to these tips, make sure you secure any loose items that could fly around if a collision occurs and cool your car off before placing your child in their car seat.
Categories:
News
