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You are here: Home / Archives for Car Seat Safety / Rear Facing

Car seat safety: Protecting your most precious cargo #preciouscargo @AllstateCanada

November 22, 2016 by Wendy S


Allstate Canada has partnered with Dorel Juvenile Canada, makers of Safety 1st Canada products, to launch “Protecting Your Most Precious Cargo,” a campaign focused on taking a proactive approach to car seat safety.


A recent Allstate Canada national poll showed that 95% of Canadian parents state that they are confident they know how to properly buckle a child in a car seat.  

Sadly, that same poll showed that 23% of Canadians with children under 12 believe that using a snow suit is the best way to keep them warm in the winter months.  Only about one-in-10 (11%) parents of children under 12 say the best way to dress a child is in thin, warm layers.

Safety should always be your primary concern

Dressing your child properly to ride in their car seat is very important.  Car seat manufacturers state in car seat manuals that bulk clothing is not safe when buckling a child into the car seat.

Allstate Canada has put together this great blog discussing “How to Dress Your Child for their Car Seat this Winter”

No winter coats in a car seat @ mapsgirl.ca

The video above shows the impact that bulky clothing has when tightening your child in a car seat.

I wrote a previous blog post where I show my own daughter in her car seat with and without a coat.  You can read it here – “A winter coat is for playing in the snow, not in a car seat!”

So how should you dress them in the winter?

This image from the Car Seat Lady shows you how to keep your infants and children warm — layers!

Winter Layers in the car seat @ mapsgirl.ca

More great info about dressing your child in their car seat in the winter can be found on the Vancouver Island Car Seat Tech page.

Properly installing the car seat is step #1

The one statistic that wasn’t given to me was the percentage of parents who felt they are confident that they know how to properly install a car seat.  

Safety 1st Grow and Go Rear Facing @ mapsgirl.ca

Safety 1st Grow and Go has a Level Line that must be level to the ground when rear facing. This is stated in the manual and on the stickers on the seat.

As many as 80% of children aren’t being correctly restrained in  child seats or booster seats.[Source]

We only slightly touched on the “not used correctly” issues when talking about winter clothing.  Some of the most common issues are:

  1. Not installing the seat tight enough

    The Pinch Test @ mapsgirl.ca

    Use the pinch test to see if the harness is tight enough.

  2. Not using the tether strap when forward facing
  3. Harness not tight enough (and winter clothing will give you a false sense of it being tight)
  4. Chest clip too low
  5. Harness straps in the incorrect position
  6. Wrong seat for the child’s age, height and weight
  7. Getting rid of the booster too soon
  8. Letting your child sit in the front seat too soon 

How do you make sure that your seat is installed properly?

The first thing that I tell all parents is to read the manuals!

Grow and Go - RF Manual @ mapsgirl.ca

Safety 1st Grow and Go’s manual and stickers are colour coordinated! Blue for rear facing and red for forward facing and booster!

You must read your vehicle manual to know where you can install the seat and if the vehicle manufacturer puts any restrictions on car seat installation. You also must read the car seat manual to know how to install the car seat into the vehicle and how to put your child safely in the car seat.

You must read the car seat manual to know how to install the car seat into the vehicle and how to put your child safely in the car seat.

 

Grow and Go - FF Manual @ mapsgirl.caThe Safety 1st Grow and Go car seat has colour-coded their manual and the stickers making it easier to find information in the manual.

Safety 1st has really tried to help parents.  This graphic on the first page is a quick snapshot of how to find the information they need:

Allstate Canada and Safety 1st made this video with some installation tips: 

For more information about installing car seats, see Allstate Canada’s blog post: Tips For Properly Installing Your Child’s Car Seat

When to move to the next car seat?

Car seats fall into 3 stages:

  1. Rear facing
  2. Forward Facing
  3. Booster

From Allstate Canada’s GOOD HANDS blog post When to Move Your Child to the Next Car Seat Stage, 

“While different car seats and regulations may vary, experts agree that children should stay in their rear-facing car seats until they’re at least 18 kg (40 lbs.); in their forward-facing 5-point harness seat until they are at least 29 kg (65 lbs.); and should use booster seats until they are at least 9 years of age and able to sit up straight with their back flat against the vehicle’s seat, and knees easily bent over the seat.

In other words, you don’t need to rush in moving a child up to the next level. Parents should take their time and transition their child to the next car seat when it makes the most sense for their safety. In fact, the longer a child can stay in their rear-facing seat, the safer they’ll be because these seats help to protect the neck and spinal cord of developing children better than any other seat.”

Safety 1st Grow and Go car seat is a 3-in-1 car seat that can be used for all three stages.

Grow and Go @ mapsgirl.ca

Rear facing (with blanket for warmth)

Grow and Go booster @ mapsgirl.ca

Booster (from Amazon.ca)

Forward Facing

 
 

Allstate Canada’s video has great tips about when it is good to move your child to the next stage:

One of the great features of the Safety 1st Grow and Go seat is that it requires your child to be at least 2 years old before they can ride in it forward facing.  This will help to ensure that children ride rear-facing until 2 years old.  Rear-facing is the safest way for children to ride in a vehicle!

Have more questions?

It is aways best to talk to or meet with a Certified Car Seat Technician who can help you with any car seat questions that you might have.  They will teach you about your car seat and how it fits in a vehicle.

It is nice to see that Allstate Canada has a certified car seat technician on their staff who can help their clients.  This will be especially important if the client is ever in a collision as car seats must be replaced.

Enter to win a Safety 1st Grow and Go 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat!

Safety 1st Grow and Go Giveaway @ mapsgirl.ca
Allstate Canada and Safety 1st want to help your child be safe. Enter to win a Safety 1st Grow and Go car seat.

 
Entry-Form

To find out more about Allstate Canada:

Blog: blog.allstate.ca
Twitter: @AllstateCanada
Facebook: Allstate Insurance Canada
YouTube: Allstate Canada

To find out more about Safety 1st Canada:

Facebook: Safety 1st Canada


Disclosure: This post was written as part of the Allstate Canada Influencer Program and is sponsored by Allstate Canada. All opinions are my own.

Filed Under: Booster Seats, Car Seat Safety, Forward Facing, Front Seat, giveaway, Products & Reviews, Rear Facing

Registering for baby? Not all Safety Items are actually safe

February 13, 2015 by Wendy S

Just becuase they sell it, doesn't mean it's safe @ mapsgirl.caI remember being a mom-to-be, walking up and down the aisles of the baby store and scanning all of the items that I thought would be required to keep my baby safe. 

Unfortunately, just because a company has a product and labels it as a “safety” item, doesn’t mean it will help keep baby protected.

There are many items on the “Top Registry Items” lists that parents shouldn’t be registering for, and I’ll explain why.  I’ve also given some suggestions of what you should do, and I end with a nice list of the items that are good to have!

What not to register or buy

Seat Savers

Don't buy seat saversThese are the protectors that you can put in your car under the child car seat. They are supposed to protect your car from the indents that can happen from the child car seat or from spills and crumbs. Since this device was not crash tested with the child car seat that you own, you do not know how it will react in a collision.  

NOTE: Car seat manufacturers will state is if any third party accessory can be used with or under the seat. Some do not even allow for the use of pool noodles or towels.

Suggested item – Nothing. It is best not to use them and install the car seat as it is described in the car seat owner’s guide.

Roll up Car Shade

Don't buy roller window shadeThese are the cute window blinds, that roll up into a metal holder at the top. They are supposed to protect your child from the sun. Unfortunately, the suction cups that come with them don’t stick forever. This could lead to the shade coming off of the window and falling directly on your child. During a collision, if the window was to break, the metal holder then becomes a projectile flying through your car causing further damage to your child or yourself.

Suggested item – The shades that come as a plastic sheet that clings to the window. If this was to fall off of the window, it won’t cause further damage to the occupants of the vehicle.

Cuddle Bags

Don't buy Cuddle BagThese are the bags that are designed to go inside the car seat and then zip up and over your child to protect them from the cold. These are not recommended because they come between your child and the car seat. The added fabric will be compressed during a collision and will cause the harness straps to be loose. This means that your child will not be held firmly in the seat and there is potential for injury to occur.

Don't buy bunting bagsSuggested item – You want the cover that goes over the entire car seat. There is a window in the top so that you can see the baby’s face. This type does not interfere at all with the harness straps and your child can be secured properly.

Bunting Bags and Baby snowsuits should also not be used in a car seat for the same reason; you will not get the harness straps tight enough and the bulky fabric will compress.  

Please read my post “A winter coat is for playing in the snow, not in a car seat!” to see more info on winter coats and car seats.

Suggested item –  put your child in a warm, but not bulky outfit, put them in their car seat properly and tighten the straps, then place a warm blanket over the top.

NOTE: Cuddle bags and snowsuits are great for use in a stroller; just not in a car seat.

Mirrors

Don't buy baby mirrorThe cute mirrors that allow a parent to use the rear view mirror to see their rear-facing child are not recommended.

Not only could they come loose and become a projectile object in a collision, their sole purpose is to distract the driver. The driver of the car should be watching the road and vehicles around them when driving. If they are taking the time to look at the baby in the back seat, they are distracted.

Suggested item – Nothing. If you need to tend to a crying baby in the back seat, pull off the road to a safe location and then do what is required for the child.

Bumper Pads (baby bedding)

Bumper PadsBumper Pads are not suggested because if a child gets caught in them, they could suffocate.

Suggestion item: Nothing.

The only thing that should be on the mattress is a good fitted sheet and nothing else should be in the crib.

 

“Baby on Board” signs

Don't buy baby on board signFor the same reason that roll up shades are not recommended, hard plastic baby on board signs should not be used as the suction cups detach and then it is a potential projectile in the car.

Suggested item: If you truly feel that you need a sign, get a magnet for the back bumper of your car. It is outside and can’t hurt the passengers inside the vehicle.


3rd Party Protective Padding that goes around the harness straps

Harness pads are dangerous! @ mapsgirl.caThe basic rules is: “If it didn’t come with the car seat, don’t use it.” Reason being is that everything that comes with the car seat has been crash tested with that seat and is safe to use. Many car seat manufacturers have started including these pads with the car seats so it’s not as much of an issue. Do not add anything to the harness straps of your child’s car seat.

Suggested item: If the harness should be too close to the child’s neck and the seat didn’t come with the protective pads, try to pull the child’s shirt collar up a bit so that the harness doesn’t rub.

Safety Items that are good for new parents:

  • new mattresses for the cribCheck mark @ mapsgirl.ca
  • baby sound monitors
  • gates
  • door knob covers (prevents the door from being opened)
  • cupboard and drawer locks
  • plug covers
  • fridge/oven locks
  • blind cord winders (to prevent strangulation)

See more great car seat info on my Pinterest board!

Follow Wendy | mapsgirl.ca’s board Car Seat Safety on Pinterest.


Other car seat info:

[catlist id=”52″ numberposts=’10’]

Filed Under: Booster Seats, Car Seat Safety, Forward Facing, Rear Facing Tagged With: baby, best practice, car seat, car seat installation, car seat safety, registry, shopping

Rear-Facing Car Seats

June 1, 2011 by Wendy S

Babies have weak neck and back muscles. Their necks need extra support while in a car. A rear-facing infant seat will support your baby’s neck in a sudden stop or crash. Some child car seats can be used for more than one stage of your child’s development.

(From Transport Canada)

Rear-facing until age 2 (at least)!

In March 2011, the American Association of Pediatrics (AAP) advised that all children 2 and under should ride rear-facing. (Press Release)

 
This is a very big statement!  It shows the importance of keeping a child rear-facing for an extended period of time.

“New research has found children are safer in rear-facing car seats. A 2007 study in the journal Injury Prevention showed that children under age 2 are 75 percent less likely to die or be severely injured in a crash if they are riding rear-facing.” (from Press Release)

Every province has their laws, which is the minimum requirement for turning a child forward facing.  But it is recommended to keep them rear facing as long as possible.

The spines of small children are not made for riding forward facing

When children are small, their vertebrae are made up of separate peices.  These pieces don’t fuse until closer to 6 years old.
In the first picture there is a cervical vertebrae for a one-year old (left), and beside it a cervical vertebrae for a 6 year old (right). Note that the 1-yr old’s vertebrae is still in pieces.
 
 
This graphic shows how the bones fuse over time:
 
From CarSeat.se — http://www.carseat.se/rearfacing/safety-benefits/
 
With a very weak spinal column due to the make up of the vertebrae, small children could be severely injured if put in a forward-facing car seat too soon.
 

Installation tips and tricks:

  • All provincial rules vary, please check your laws as to what seat your child needs and what position it should be installed.
Choosing a seat:
Infant Only
  • Infant-only seats
    • most seats have a maximum weight limit between 22lbs to 35lbs
    • the higher the weight the longer you’ll be able to use that seat before the child outgrows it
    • most come with a base that can stay in the vehicle to make putting the seat into the car each time easier
    • these seats can be installed without the base, but more steps need to be take each time the seat is used in a vehicle
    • Infant-Child seats
Infant-Child
    • these are larger than infant seats and installation can be a bit trickier
    • many manufacturers are starting to make seats with higher weigh limits for rear-facing
      • some up to 35lbs
    • these seats can be used forward facing as well
      • I will talk about forward-facing installations tomorrow
 
 
 

Position of the seat when rear-facing:

  • most car seats MUST BE AT 45 DEGREES (and don’t assume that the leveler on the side of the seat or base is correct – they are not always accurate)
    • the 45 degree angle helps baby to keep their head back and able to breath.  If your babies head falls forward and looks uncomfortable, there’s a good change that your seat is not at 45 degrees
    • there are a few car seats that have a range of angles that they can use but you must read the instruction manual for the car seat to know what is acceptable for your seat
    • to help get this angle, the seat may have a built-in adjustable foot and/or you may need to use pool noodles
  • not all cars allow for the child seat to be installed rear facing in the middle position
    • this can be due to a fold down arm rest
    • you must read your car owners manual to know where in the vehicle you can put the seat
  • The child seat CANNOT touch the passenger seat in front of it
    • if it touches the seat, then then child will be absorbing the force of the collision rather than letting the seat work the way it was designed to work
    • you need to remember this when picking a spot for the seat
      • ie. don’t put it behind the driver’s seat if the driver is tall
 

Use of the LATCH system:

  • child car seats come with the LATCH system which allows you to clip the seat into the vehicle and then tighten the LATCH belt
  • use of the LATCH system is also determined by your car owners manual
    • most vehicles have the LATCH anchors for the two outboard (closest to door) positions
    • the middle seat, unless specified in the vehicle owners manual CANNOT borrow the LATCH anchors from the outboard positions.  This means that if you are installing a seat in the middle, you must use the vehicles seat belt

 

Getting it tight enough:

  • The base/seat needs to be tight enough that it moves less than 1 inch side to side at the belt path (where the seat belt or LATCH belt goes through the base)
    • Place the seat/base and the car seat in the vehicle and adjust the foot on the base until it is at the proper position
    • clip on the LATCH clips to the anchors
    • make sure the LATCH belt is flat
    • twisting will cause weakness during a collision
    • kneel on the base (infant only) or into the car seat (infant-child)
      • you are heavier than the baby
      • this will get the vehicle’s seat compressed and allow the belt to be as tight as possible
    • tighten the belt
  • no movement is best
  • if you try to shake the base and the whole vehicle shakes, then you’re tight enough
 
Using the vehicle’s seat belt:
 
(more info coming…stay tuned)
 
 

Putting the child in the seat:

  • the harness must be at or below the infants shoulders
    • this will hold the child down in the seat, not allowing them to be forced upwards in a collision
  • You must be able to get no more than one finger width between the strap and your infant’s collar bone
  • DO NOT put your child in bulky clothing (ie. heavy or puffy sweaters, snow suits)
    • this will not allow the harness to be tightened properly
    • don’t kid yourself either – if you think that it’s tight with the snow suit on, take the snow suit off and put the child back in and you’ll see how loose those straps are when the snow suit compresses under the force of the collision
  • The chest clip must be at their arm pits
Photo: carseatsite.com
  • DO NOT use any 3rd party add-ons that did not cone with the seat
    • no protectors on the harness
    • no snuggle bags
    • no head protectors
    • many manufactures are starting to have these come as part of the seat
      • this means that they were crash tested with the seat and are safe to use
    • If you need more support for the babies head and your seat did not come with a head support, simply take 2 receiving blankets and make two rolls and place one on each side of the babies head
 

Putting the infant seat into the car when used with a base:

  • Read your car seat’s owner’s manual to see if the carrying handle can be left up (most cannot)
    • it is recommended to always put the handle down as if it was to break during a collision it would be  projectile aimed right at your child’s face
  • Make sure it is clipped into the base tightly
    • you don’t want it to come loose in a collision
  • I’m going to stay this again: the child seat CANNOT touch the passenger seat in front of it 
    • read above under “Position of the seat when rear-facing” for more info
 

Why get your car seat checked at a car seat clinic?

  • we know all the tips and tricks to get your car seat in correctly and tight enough
  • we’ve installed many different seats in many different cars
  • we know when to use a locking clip
  • because you can be fined $240 and 2 demit points (in Ontario) if your child is not in a properly installed and properly used car seat
  • but even more important, because you can keep your child as safe as possible should be be in a collision
 

More info about rear-facing seats

  • Snuggle Bugz — Rear-Facing Car Seats, Why Do We Do This?
  • Transport Canada — Stage 1: Rear-facing Seats
  • MTO – Choose the right seat for your child: Infants
  • Safe Kids Canada – Installation Videos

More Car Seat Information:

Rear Facing Seats

Forward Facing Seats

Boosters and Seat Belts

Riding in the Front Seat

 

 
Please note: I am a certified Child Restraint Technician in Ontario, Canada. Please check your local laws about car seats and always read your vehicle owner’s manual and car seat manual before installing your child seats.
 
This data will be updated as required.

Filed Under: Car Seat Safety, Rear Facing Tagged With: cpsw

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mapsgirl@gmail.com

Why “mapsgirl” ?

Wendy is a cartographer! She draws maps!

When not mapping, Wendy is also a mom to two daughters. They are the inspiration of this blog. Passionate about child passenger safety, Wendy was a certified Car Seat Technician in Ontario, Canada from 2008 to 2020. [Read More …]

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