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Safety is the most important aspect of driving with children in your car, whether to take you to school, swim class, or for a longer trip. It doesn’t matter what vehicle you have, and these guidelines will help ensure safety for any child passenger.
We’ve provided some guidelines for car seat and belt safety in this blog. However, it is important to double-check your state and local laws and CDC guidelines to make sure you are aware of all safety requirements.
GENERAL TIPS FOR SAFETY CAR SEATS
From birth to 12 months
Your child should be seated in a rear-facing car chair in the back of the vehicle if they are under one year old. It is important not to rush any transition. As you will see, it is crucial to keep your child in the same seat as they are now.
1- 3 Years
It is important to keep your child in a rear-facing car seat for as long as you can. This will ensure that your child is safe while your car is moving. It is recommended that your child remains in the car seat until they reach the maximum height or weight allowed by the manufacturer. After your child can no longer use their rear-facing seat, you can allow them to use a forward-facing car chair with a harness or rope.
From 4 to 7 years
It is recommended that your child be kept in a forward-facing car chair with a harness or rope until they reach the weight and height limits. They can move to a booster seat in their back once they have outgrown this seat.
8-12 Years
After your child can use a booster seat, it’s good to keep them in the booster seat until they can fit comfortably in a seatbelt. The lap belt should be snugly placed across their upper thighs and not their stomach to ensure a child fits properly. The shoulder belt should be across their shoulders and chest. Your child should not have the seat belt across their neck or face.
View the complete set of guidelines from the CDC regarding safety for children in motor vehicles. Click.
How do I wear my seat belt?
Your shoulder belt should always be worn. Your shoulder belt should not be tangled around your neck. The shoulder belt should cover your chest. Make sure you remove all slack. It would be best if you did not place your shoulder belt behind or behind your back.
Always wear your lap belt. Place your lap belt under your stomach to fit comfortably across your hips, pelvic bones and pelvis. It would be best to not place it on top or over your stomach.
How do I adjust my seat?
As needed, adjust the seat. You should adjust your seat so that it is comfortable and upright. You should also keep your belly as far away from the steering wheel. You can adjust the steering wheel to make more room or hire another driver. You should be able to reach the pedals and steering wheel easily.
It is a good idea to make sure your passenger seat is as wide as possible to allow for more space between your stomach and the dashboard.
Christian Brothers Automotive Safety Services
It doesn’t matter what vehicle you drive. Whether it’s a car or truck, jeep, crossover, or SUV, it is important to perform routine maintenance to keep your vehicle safe all year. Christian Brothers Automotive offers a free courtesy inspection at our 220+ locations across the country. These courtesy inspections are free to give you peace of mind about your vehicle’s safety and health.
Furthermore, many expensive or complex engine problems are caused by inconsistent or non-existent preventative Maintenance. Our certified technicians can perform simple visual inspections during an inspection to help identify minor issues before they become costly repairs.
