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Understanding Child Safety

April 6th, 2009, Posted in Babies

Okay so protecting your child is something you think about some. Well maybe you think about safety a little or maybe you think about it a lot. Either way what is it that you are wanting to protect your child from? Are you protecting them from death? If so why? Is there something wrong with a child dying? Or are you protecting yourself from the pain of losing your child? These are deep thoughts to consider. For some reason most people seem to think children should live longer then their parents; but why? Well no matter the reason most people seek to make things safe for their children.

Have you ever wondered if we get our safety priorities correct? You may focus a lot of time in one or two areas endeavoring to protect your child only to discover that there are others areas in life where you have completely missed the boat and left your child unprotected.

Most of us realize that safety in a vehicle is a big issue. We spend loads of money on car seats and other items to keep your child safe and protected when traveling. Years of time and research has gone into promoting child safety in vehicles. Money and lots of effort have gone into designing and building car seats for kids that will protect them. But is your car seat safe enough, will it really protect your child. Not all seats are built the same. For example some companies only meet the minimum requirements while others like the Recaro Start seat are built well above the minimum safety standards. So is your child really safe in the seat you got them?

Now when it comes to the home front there are all kinds of devices designed to protect your child. You can find play pens that are designed to keep you child in a nice safe place away from other items. There are safety gates to keep children out of one place or another. You will discover outlet covers, these come in many sizes and shapes. Some are specially designed to prevent your child from choking on them as some children have died from choking on an outlet plug.

Consider food now for a minute. There are lots of food you know you should not feed a baby or toddler. Popcorn is one of those foods that is a big no no. You probably have not come to understand how deadly popcorn can be for your baby. In fact if death from popcorn was like death from a car accident then there would be laws requiring popcorn safety devices and such. That might sound odd but popcorn is that deadly. Even if you do not feed it to your child they can find that stray piece on the floor, under the edge of the counter or under the table. All it takes is one piece and those little husks that get in your teeth can collapse a child’s air way and it is near impossible to get it out. Think about it.

The Importance of Car Seats

April 6th, 2009, Posted in Babies

The biggest challenge for most parents is that most car injuries involving children occur since the child goes airborne during accidents. Even at very slow speeds, children are very likely to fly in the car if they are not properly secured. This can turn even the smallest incident into something fatal. This is the main reason we use car seats.  

Children by their very nature are inquisitive and will probably touch anything that they can get their hands on. This unfortunately includes car locks and windows. A car seat will ensure that your child only has limited movement in the car. He may not happy but you can rest assured that you will not have doors and windows opening accidentally if you had forgotten to use the child lock feature. 

Parents can also see the benefits of modern car seats. Most of them are easy to set up in the back seat. When you wish to move around for example visiting the doctor’s office or even the mall, all you have to do is use the handle on the car seat and carry the child with you. It is actually very easy to use the car seats as opposed to carrying the child as used to happen. 

Though there are hundreds of car seat manufacturers, you have to seek quality when choosing amongst them. Other than quality, you should also consider the age of your child, ease of set up and the safety features. One of the best booster car seats available for the older child are the forward facing britax regent booster car seat.  

You cannot underestimate the importance of car seats. Many injuries have been avoided by simply installing one. The good thing is that most countries have made their use mandatory. The only thing that you as a parent have to do is to choose the best quality and install it properly.  

Child Safety means Using Car Seats

April 2nd, 2009, Posted in Babies

Child safety is the number one priority for each and every parent. We are spending more time in our cars from commuting to work to going shopping and child safety in a car is becoming a major issue of concern. It has been established that many child injuries during car accidents could have been averted if the child was safely tucked in a car seat.

Small infants cannot sit or hold their heads up well. This is one of the reasons that you should have them in a car seat that allows them to lie back comfortably. Infants should be placed in a rear facing car seat. The car seat must also be the right size.  

It is your responsibility as a parent to acquaint yourself with the various types of car seats in the market. The choice for parents can seem daunting at first. Talk to your friends and even read up consumer reviews on the best car seats around. One of the best is the Britax Frontier booster.  

Read the instructions on installing your car seat properly and make sure you understand and follow them. Many incidents with car seats occur due to improper installation. There is nothing wrong with seeking help from the manufacturer or retailer to make sure that you have the car seat properly installed.  

Though there are hundreds of car seats out there, it is important to choose one that is approved by your state or country. Become acquainted with the various safety regulations and ensure that your chosen car seat follows them. Even a simple Google search should point you to the right direction on car seat requirements.  

Lastly, you should never leave your child with anyone who does not know the importance of using car seats. Insist that they all know how to properly use a car seat. If you can take the time to teach the nanny how to cook your favourite food, then there should be time to teach them how to properly use a car seat. 

My Child Can Not Stand The Car Seat!

April 2nd, 2009, Posted in Babies

It is times like this that make you want to just jump out of the automobile. It is bad enough that you are running behind for your appointment and fighting traffic. Now your boy is yelling as though they are being murdered and you have had all you can take. Is there anything you can do?

If you have gone through this kind of experience or are currently dealing with it you know how rough it is. You might be more fortunate then some if your child only rarely does this. Yet for some parents this occurs every time they go for a drive.

There are all kinds of theories for this but the bottom line is they are not happy. Some say it might be the vibrations or the sound bothering them. Other ideas are that they do not like the feel of the material or they feel trapped, ah, yes they are trapped.

How would you feel if you got dropped into a cold seat when it is near freezing or plopped down into a hot seat when the temperature is near one hundred degrees?

No matter what you need things to be different. You can definitely try anther car seat. You might consider this a bit much but how much to like the screaming? But, if you try another car seat it has to be one that is known for its comfort. A wonderful example of this are the Britax Decathlon car seat.

Before you do go buy another car seat you might consider this idea. Figure out some treat that your child really likes. Yes, even something sweet to eat. How, only give this to them when they are acting or behaving the way you want. In order for this to work you have to decide what behavior you want to reward. If it means you want to reward them for being quite for 15 seconds because that is all you can start with then so be it. Remember they only get this treat in response to your desired behavior and at no other time. You can gradually extent the time frame as they respond to the rewards.

Okay now some people might not like the reward idea for some reason. Some of you might even think this is strange but the truth is that all humans respond best to positive reinforcement or discipline rather then negative discipline which is often called punishment. So try this out and be sure to only reward the specific behavior you are after. With consistent effort on your part to quickly praise the child and give them the treat after they have produced the desired behavior will produce a change.

Try this simple approach before you try upgrading to a Britax Decathlon car seat. This technique will definitely help but do realize that there may be a real physical issue that is bothering your child and changing car seats may be just what needed.

Car Seat Options for the Child

March 28th, 2009, Posted in Babies

The choice of the type of car seat you buy for your child is greatly influenced by your child. Most car seat manufacturers have very specific instructions on the use of the car seat. This normally includes the child’s age and weight. There may be nothing more important than choosing the right car seat.

There are two kinds of car seats which are infant car seats and convertible car seats. It is easy to identify an infant car seat as it can be used as a carrier too. The seat is snapped on to the car when the child is in the car and later you can take the car seat with you as you visit the mall or doctors office. It is normally used until the child is about 30 pounds.

Once the child is older, the infant car seat may not be enough and you may need to use the second type of car seat known as the convertible car seat. Up until this time, you have had the car seat facing backwards away from the driver. The convertible car seat makes it possible to face the child forward as the child grows older.

Car seats can also be differentiated by the types of harness that is used.  There is the 3 point harness and the 5 point harness. The 3 point harness looks like a T shaped belt that comes from both shoulders to between the legs. The 5 point harness attaches to both sides of the child’s hips and shoulders and comes between the legs.

The whole idea of car seats is child safety. You must ensure that you use a high quality car seat such as the Britax Roundabout convertible car seat to avoid disappointment. You should also ensure that you have properly secured the child to the car seat at all times and the car seat to the car.

In the end, car seats will save you from the agony of having your child flying in the car during even minor car accidents. Nothing can give you more peace of mind than knowing that your child is always safe as you drive.

Which Car Seat Is Safest For My Child?

March 22nd, 2009, Posted in Babies

You need to know that there are a great many variables involved in determining this question. Below you will find some guidelines to assist you make a decision.

Car seats for children come in three different configurations. The forward-facing, rear-facing, and convertible all are safe products, but intended for different stages of a child’s development. A good illustration of a convertable car seat is the Britax Boulevard.

The rear-facing seat is best for infants that weight less then 20 pounds and not more then one year of age. However , if your infant weights 20 pounds prior to his/her birthday they should remain in the rear-facing seat until they are at least one year old. A good rule of thumb is to use the seat up to the manufacturer’s recommendations. It is important that you understand that rear-facing car seats must not be used in the front seat of a car with passenger side air bags.

The forward facing seats are for children after exceeding the manufacturer’s recommendations on the rear-facing seat. When researching forward-facing safety seats, the best choice is one that will accommodate your child as long as possible without needing to buy another car seat.

A great illustration of an infant seat that is safe is the Britax Companion seat.

Is There Room In Your Vehicle?

Not all children’s car seat can be correctly installed in all seating location in all automobile. It is important that you read all the instructions about your new car seat. In general, a properly installed child safety seat should not move more than 1 inch side to side or forward.

Will You Install the Seat Correctly? What About Proper Instilation?

Each car seat that you look at will have different features and design. It is important to choose one that both you and your child are comfortable with, and that you can install properly and adjust correctly every time you drive.

The safest car seat for you is the one that best fits in your automobile , is the proper size for your young one and is used properly each time. All safety seats manufactured in the U.S. must comply with the same strict safety standards. Not all car seats are the same size, the Britax Companion car seat is quite bulky and may not fit in all automobiles.

Be Careful Buying Used Car Seats

A car seat that has been involved  in a crash may have been damaged structurally that is not easy to see. You need to replace your child’s safety seat if it was in a crash. Your car insurance may cover the expense of replacing your damaged safety seat for your child.

It is best to use a new safety seat for your child. That is the only way to guarantee you have a safe seat.Should you know someone that is willing to sell you a used car seat , it is important to get a full history of the car seat from the previous owner(s). Other critical questions to ask are: Has the seat been involved in a crash? Has a recall been issued for the seat? Is the seat too old (more than 6 years)? Does the seat have all the necessary parts?

Use these guidelines to ensure that you get the safest child seat for your precious one.

Used Child Safety Seat – A Wise Purchase?

March 22nd, 2009, Posted in Babies

Avoiding used car seats is a very wise idea. There are few exceptions to this rule. The only time you should even consider the idea is if you know the people you are getting the seat from. If you can trust them to tell you the truth about the seats condition you might consider the used seat.

Car crashes can cause hidden damage to car seats, and the car seat could fail in a second crash, putting your child at risk of injury. Check to be sure no alterations have been made to the used car seat.

Another thing to be aware of with a used car seat is making sure all the accessories are their. If there are some missing they might be integral to the overall safety of the seat. It can be difficult to know what is missing and if you do know to locate the proper parts.

You might be tempted to consider buying a used car seat from eBay as the selection will be very large. But while many of the seats may be fine, how can you pick them out. Is it worth the risk?

With car seats, safety is the big issue in fact the ONLY issue. Remember that this piece of equipment is not just a handy receptacle for transporting your precious bundle is the one thing that could save your baby’s life in an emergency.

The best idea for all parents is to purchase the best new car seat they can afford. You are talking about the life of your child, what is that worth? For example a great seat to look at is a Britax car seat.

If a car seat has been through an auto accident, certain parts of it may be stressed from impacts, and may not be as strong as when it was first made. This could cause the seat to be weaker, and possibly fail as a safety device should you be in an accident with your child.

Unless you know the owner it is best to not purchase a used car seat. Why risk your child’s life? Oh, you might think it is a calculated risk; after all you will not get into an accident. That kind of thinking is where the problem begins. Be smart buy a new one!

Using a Car Seat for your Child

March 9th, 2009, Posted in Babies

There are hundreds of car accidents that result in serious injury and even fatalities. Many of these fatalities involve children as passengers. It has been found that most of the injuries and fatalities involving children could have been avoided if car seats were used by the children.  

It is only recently that child safety in a car has become headline news. Many can remember riding in the front seat of the car with their parents. This has started being frowned upon by all. Recent studies have shown that in order to improve child safety, it is important to take every precaution even on very short trips.  

We take a lot of time shopping for children clothing. Some of us even start shopping for clothes before the child is born. If you have a car, it is essential to also take the time to shop for a car seat. When shopping for one, make sure that you understand how to properly install it. One of the best car seats around is the britax diplomat car seat.  

Once you have the car seat, make sure that it is properly fastened to the car as well as the child. Most countries have mandatory requirements for this but the rule of thumb is to always have the car seat at the back and facing away from the driver. 

Before you buy any car seat, you should make sure that your child fits the requirements for the seat. This should also include the weight requirements. If the child is too big or too small for the car seat, they are likely to be unsecured during an accident resulting in injury. Please do not take shortcuts with car seats; they are not like clothes which can be bought at a larger size to accommodate growth.  

Child safety is probably the biggest headache that parents have all over the world. The good news is that a few extra hours shopping for the right car seat means peace of mind. All you have to do now is drive safely and be on the lookout for bad drivers.

Get to Know Car Seat Differences

February 24th, 2009, Posted in Uncategorized

There are some hospitals which will not discharge you unless they see a car seat. This is a result of a concerted effort to make the use of car seats mandatory in many countries. It has been shown that many children fatalities and injuries could have been avoided with the proper use of car seats.  

A car seat that has a base buckled securely to the seat is the first car seat your baby may use. It is very convenient since you can carry the baby anywhere you go. The car seat is secured in the back seat when driving then when you leave the car, you can simply lift it off and carry around the handle.  

The next type of car seat you will consider will be the convertible car seat such as the britax marathon convertible car seat. In the beginning, the car seat will have to be installed facing backwards. When the baby is old enough or heavy enough, he may then face forward using the convertible car seat. These have strong a 5 point harness buckled to the bottom and chest.  

At around 40 pounds, the baby can then be moved to the booster seat. At this time the child should be able to appreciate the use of car seats and you only have to ensure that it is well buckled. This type of seat has a small base that keeps the child secure, while allowing him to use a regular seat belt.  

The type of car seat you use will greatly depend on the weight, size and age of the child. The important thing is to ensure that you properly install the seat belt and make sure that the car seat is secure for the child. In most cases you will be using a car seat until the child is the age of twelve. This should ensure that they are safe during any trips.

Advances In Car Seat Design

February 5th, 2009, Posted in Uncategorized

Today many of us consider car seats as normal. Yet for those that are just a little older car seats for children hardly existed if at all in their childhood. So what is all the fuss about car seats? For years car seats and even seat belts were rarely used.

{Unfortunately it was the result of many children being injured and killed in car wrecks that created the interest in developing car seats as early as the 1930’s. But it was not until the 1970’s that laws began to go into effect that required children to be in car seats.}

{By the mid 80’s car seats were becoming very common. While these car seats were not the greatest in the way of safety they helped. Today great car seat companies manufacture car seats like the Britax Boulevard car seat. These great seats are built to really protect your kids in the event of an accident. They have taken the accumulated knowledge of the past years and designed some excellent child restraint systems.}

It is a completely new variety of car seat then many have used in the past. The technology that has gone into these seats has improved the side impact protection and the overall comfort of the seat.

{More car seats today are developed to be convertible from rear facing to forward facing allowing you to buy one car seat that will last most of the years your child will need to be in a car seat or booster. For example many child safety seats like the Britax Boulevard allow the child to be in the seat up to 65 pounds.}

{The design and technology that has gone into children’s car seats today is very advanced and many lives are saved each year. Yet it is critical that you buckle them in and tighten the harnesses correctly properly. The best technology can not overcome a lose harness that allows the child slip out.}

Use care when buckling in your children, do not let the routine let you become careless and overlook buckling the harness properly.


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