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by: VivienneMyatt
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Parents go out of their way to choose the right car seat for their baby, they spend significant time and money to protect their most precious cargo. Yet, in a recent study, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that, according to a multi-year study, misuse occurred in 79.5 percent of the child safety seats inspected. Through the wrong use of safety restraints, many children are actually put in potential harm by otherwise well meaning parents.

Well-meaning parents who strapped their child into a seat with a harness strap and safety belt attachments that were far looser than they should be were the number one culprit in the study. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration calls these misuses 'critical' because they can contribute to a child suffering from possible greivous harm.

Always use the correct seat for your baby's age and weight and in the correct position. Children who weigh less than 20 pounds and younger than one year of age can ride in a rearward-facing car seat. Seats that are specially designed for infants are smaller and they fit more tightly around the baby. For your child's protection, always place the infant only car seat in the back seat and always make sure it is positioned facing the rear.

Convertible seats provide a good opportunity to get the most bang for your buck, because they fit infants and still allow the baby to grow. Growth of the child is accommodated through the heavier convertible car seat. Infants, who are placed in the convertible seats, if they are under 20 pounds and less than one year old, are placed facing the rear of the back seat. You can go ahead and place any child that is 20-40 pounds in a front-facing position.

A more important factor than which seat you pick is actually knowing how to use it correctly. You will find it easier to do so if you read all the important parts of your vehicle owner guide and the instruction that came with your safety seat. Obviously, to be effective, your child's car seat must be buckled into the seat correctly, and the seat must be correctly buckled into your car.

Many parents find harness straps annoying and confusing, but they merely need to accomodate the size of your baby, comfortably, yet tightly, around the chest area and fit into the correct slot. Convertible and infant-only car seats have different requirements for harness strap slot positions; aim above the shoulder for convertibles and below the shoulder for the infant-only ones. Other things that matter in using the harness are the proper placement of the harness clip, around the armpit level, always check the owner's guide to confirm the exact placement, and having non-twisted straps.

Also consult your owner's guide as you strap in the seat belt, making sure it goes through the right path, and tilt the seat back by 45 degrees. Some parents put a rolled up towel under the seat's base as well. Tighten the seat belt, as needed, to ensure the restraint is secured to your vehicle. For any car that has LATCH systems, the owner must take note of that and make sure their seat is installed the way their car seat guide and vehicle ownership guide detail. The seat should be in good condition, so if you purchase a used one, double check the label for age. For age, keep your seat under five years old, and never purchase any seat that does not include a set of full manufacturer's instructions. Know your seat's history, including whether or not it has been in any accidents, and make sure it has all its parts.

About the Author

Read this article by Vivienne Myatt and check if your child is in danger. Discover how you keep your child safe. Also, see how subscribers to her monthly newsletter save money every month. Her interests are shared by mums and moms everywhere.

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