Watch out for these common car seat mistakes.
Did you know that September is Baby Safety Month? In honor of this month, parents should take a closer look at the child-safety equipment that they use on a daily basis and ensure that they are using these products safely and effectively. One of the things that you should look at this month is your child’s car seat. To ensure that your child is safe in your car, make sure that you aren’t making these common car seat mistakes.
Mistake 1: Choosing the Wrong Seat
Many parents believe that every car seat is the same. However, this is not true as child car seats are specially designed for children of different ages, weights, and heights. This is why it’s important to check your child’s car seat and make sure that it is the appropriate one for your child’s current specifications. You might have to exchange your current car seat for a new one if the seat you are using is out of date or meant for a larger or smaller child.
Mistake 2: Incorrect Car Seat Placement
While you might feel like it’s safer to keep your child in the front seat where they are within easy reach, this is not accurate. The safest place for a child in in your car’s backseat where they will be away from airbags, a shattered windshield, and other exposures. Chile safety experts recommend keeping all children in the backseat (even after they graduate from car seats) until they reach the age of 13.
Mistake 3: Improper Car Seat Direction
Finally, while it might make you nervous to not be able to see your child’s face, it’s actually safest to keep your child in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible (normally until the age of two). This is because rear-facing car seats offer better support for your infant’s head, neck, and spine and are specially designed to distribute crash forces across the shell of the seat.
These are some of the common car seat mistakes that you need to avoid if you want to keep your child as safe as possible as they ride in your car. Want another way to keep your child and your other passengers safe? Then make sure you have the proper auto insurance protections in place. For assistance with your car coverage, contact the experts at Mike Leonard Insurance Agency today. Our dedicated team is eager to find you the right coverage from one of our many carriers including: Kemper, MetLife, Travelers, The Hartford, Safeco Insurance, Progressive, and American Strategic Insurance.