digest
Short Summary
Main recommendation: keep children rear-facing in their car seat until they reach the top height or weight limit printed on the seat, and at least until age two, because rear-facing is the safest position. Correct installation and fit matter as much as the seat itself, and a free car seat check is available monthly at Riverton Hospital.
Key Points
- According to the speaker, three out of four car seats are installed or used incorrectly, and using the seat as intended can reduce the risk of death and injury by 71%.
- According to Lindsey Curtis, the American Academy of Pediatrics released a statement in 2011 increasing the recommended rear-facing age to two years old.
- According to the speaker, children are five times more likely to be injured forward-facing than rear-facing, even when their legs are cramped against the seat.
- Parents often turn children forward-facing too soon, which the speaker identifies as the most common mistake she sees.
- Free car seat checks are offered on the fourth Monday of each month at Riverton Hospital, and appointments can be arranged at other times.
Details Worth Noting
- Concrete instructions:
- Find the weight and height limits on the sticker on the side of the car seat, and keep the child rear-facing until the top limit. For the example seat shown, that is up to 35 pounds.
- Make sure the seat is snug in the vehicle and the harness is secure before driving.
- Check the expiration date on the sticker underneath or printed on the plastic. Car seats usually expire between 6 and 10 years after manufacture.
- Never use a car seat that has been in an accident.
- To get a free check, call Riverton Hospital to make an appointment for the fourth Monday of the month, or ask about other times. The check covers installation, the fit to the child, and the fit to the vehicle.
- The speaker noted that children may have legs cramped against the seat when rear-facing, but this is considered safe.
- Car seats handed down from others are a common source of outdated or expired seats.
Bottom Line
Parents should prioritize keeping children rear-facing for as long as the seat allows and get a free professional check to confirm correct installation.
