Best Practice Archives - Page 24 of 25 - Car Seats For The Littles

How much Headroom? A Height Comparison of Rear Facing Convertible Car Seats

Posted on November 10, 2013 by CSFTL

Rear facing is the safest way for kids to ride in the car, no doubt about it. Ideally, kids should ride rear facing until they are 3-4 years old. Most convertible car seats on the market now will easily fit the average 3-year-old rear facing, however, all seats are not created equal in terms of height room. A rear facing seat is generally outgrown when the child’s head is 1″ from the top of the shell or they reach a stated height limit (of course, there are exceptions to both these rules; it’s important to follow the instructions for your specific seat) so the height of the shell is an important number to take into consideration.

Car Seats and What To Do After a Crash

Posted on October 2, 2013 by CSFTL

Hopefully you’ll never need to know first hand that your seats did their job to protect your Littles, but in the event of a crash, here’s what you need to know.

Hopefully you’ll never need to know first hand that your seats did their job to protect your Littles, but after a crash, here’s what you need to know.

Why Rear Facing: the Science Junkie’s Guide

Posted on September 20, 2013 by CSFTL

If you’re looking for just the facts about rear facing versus forward facing, you’ve come to the right place. There are multiple factors involved in this discussion; the unique physiology of a young toddler combined with the type of force in the most severe crashes adds up to the perfect storm that puts kids at significant risk if they are forward facing too early.

Car Seats have an expiration date!

Posted on September 18, 2013 by CSFTL

Did you know car seats expire? Car seats have a lifespan ranging anywhere from 4-12 years. The expiration date may be stamped in the plastic, on a sticker, or you may need to calculate the time based on the date of manufacture.

The Four Stages Of Car Seat Safety

Posted on September 16, 2013 by CSFTL

Rear facing is the best protection for a child’s developing spine. Rear face to a minimum of age 2, ideally age 4.

Rear Facing Only Car Seats: Where Does the Handle Go?

Posted on August 1, 2013 by CSFTL

The child passenger safety world is full of outdated information that has been spread by well meaning individuals. One of the most common misconceptions is which position the handle on a rear facing only seat must be in while in use in the car.

Booster seat shoulder belt positioning clip? What’s that?

Posted on July 17, 2013 by CSFTL

Ever wonder what that funny looking strap and plastic piece are that comes with your booster? It is called a shoulder belt positioning clip and is used to keep the shoulder belt at the correct position when using a backless booster. The fabric loop attaches to the bottom of the booster and the red clip attaches to the shoulder belt above the shoulder. Make sure to read your car seat manual to find out exactly where to attach it and when to use it!

Rear Facing Car Seat Myths Busted

Posted on July 15, 2013 by CSFTL

It’s hopefully common knowledge now that rear facing in the car is the safest way for toddlers to ride. As a child passenger safety technician, I’ve heard all the reasons that parents choose to forward face too early, and I’d like to provide some answers to those questions here. Hopefully, this guide will help keep your child rear facing as long as possible!

Boosters Are For (Very) Big Kids

Posted on June 13, 2013 by CSFTL

Fortunately, we know that the law is not enough to keep children safe. NHTSA, Safe Kids, and the American Academy of Pediatrics all recommend that children between 8 and 12 years old continue to use a booster until they fit the belt correctly alone, usually around 4’9″.

Is your child’s car seat outgrown?

Posted on May 17, 2013 by CSFTL

Wonder when your Little’s car seat is outgrown? Refer to your manual to check the limits for your child’s weight and height, and rules about how the child fits in the seat! Many rear facing car seats require 1″ of shell above the head – a 1″ tall book is a great easy way to measure!