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You are here: Home / Archives for car seat safety

The CMR Car Seat Safety Twitter Party – September 16 @ 9pm #CMRCarSeatSafety

September 15, 2015 by Wendy S

It’s Child Passenger Safety Week!!

As a certified Child Restraint System Technician (CRST), I love to talk about car seat safety every week of the year!  But it’s so great that we have one week where everyone talks about car seat safety and how to keep our most precious cargo safe.

The Canadian Mother Resource knows the value of getting proper car seat safety knowledge to everyone and is having a twitter party to help get the info out!

NEW 2015 #CMRCarSeatSafety-horizontal

There will be prizes!

RSVP below to be eligible to win 1 of 2 convertible car seats (valued at approx. $300 each) as well as 1 of 2 $100 Visa gift cards.

For more info, click here.
 
RSVP below (Canadians only, please!) and follow:
Your host: @the_cmr
CMR Car Seat Expert: @mapsgirl
 
Co-hosts:
@fabrugalmama 
@listen2lena
@MultitestingMom
 
Sponsors:
@the_cmr
@HeritageFunds

While everyone is encouraged to participate, only Canadian residents (excluding Quebec and Nunavut) are eligible to win prizes.

Please be sure to enter your Twitter Handle “@yourTwitterhandle” in the Link/Blog Title field, and your Twitter URL “www.twitter.com/yourtwitterhandle” in the Link Field.

Filed Under: Car Seat Safety Tagged With: car seat, car seat safety, The CMR

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

Read my #carseat tips at @The_CMR and join our #CMRCarSeatSafety twitter party!

June 12, 2014 by Wendy S

 I am very excited to announce that I will be sharing lots of Car Seat Safety knowledge at The Canadian Mother Resource as their Car Seat Expert!

CMR_BA-CarSeat-Badge

Not only will I be writing articles for the website, but we’ll be having Twitter and Facebook parties too!

 We have our first Twitter party coming up!!

#CMRCarSeatSafety Twitter Party

Join the @The_CMR #CMRCarSeatSafety Twitter Party - June 19 - 9pm EST

Join The CMR’s Car Seat Expert (me!) and our sponsors
for great car seat safety tips and
over $1500 in prizes, including 4 Evenflo Platinum Symphony car seats!
(Note: Prizes open to Canadian residents only.)

When: Thursday, June 19th
Time: 9pm to 10pm EST
Hosts: @the_cmr, @mapsgirl (that’s me!)
Co-hosts: @fabfrugalmama, @listen2lena, @mommygearest, @chancesmommy
Lead sponsor twitter handle: @EvenflobabyCA

RSVP!

Please RSVP with your @twitter_handle and http://www.twitter.com/twitter_handle!

or
image_preview

Filed Under: Car Seat Safety Tagged With: car seat, car seat safety, twitter party

What to do with a used, expired or damaged car seat

February 3, 2014 by Wendy S

Expired Car seat

*** Please note that is article focuses on CANADIAN car seats ***

As children grow, they will outgrow a car seat and move up to the next phase.  When you’re done using that seat, many parents don’t know what to do with them.  A lot of parents will want to sell them because they made a big investment and want some money back, or they think that their seat has enough life in it for another family.  This is not always the case.

There are a few things to consider:

  • Is your seat expired? 
  • Has it been in a collision?
  • Does it meet the January 2012 regulations?

expired car seatIs my seat expired?

If your car seat is expired, then you should have stopped using it for your own child.  Seats are only good for a certain period of time.  

This is due to:

  • the stress of being installed
  • the stress used with a child
  • the stress that changes in temperature affect the plastic

To find out if your seat is expired, please read this post — car seats expire…and other safety tips

Please read below for how to dispose of an un-safe seat.


Was your car seat in a collision?

Three-way head-on car collisionIf your seat has been in a collision, it must be disposed of immediately.  Even a “minor fender bender” has potential to damage the seat.

I hear a lot of parents say, “but it wasn’t a big collision, the seat is fine.”  My question is always, “How do you know?”  There is no way to know the extent of the stress that a collision (big or small) puts on a car seat.  Manufacturers know this which it is why they print it in all car seat owners manuals to replace a seat after a collision.

Why would want to take a chance, and guess that the seat is fine?  It would be very unfortunately to get in a second collision only to find out that the seat was not fine, and your child is injured or worse.

Please read below for how to dispose of an un-safe seat.


SafetyMarkDoes your seat meet the January 2012 regulations?

On January 1, 2012, Transport Canada changed some of the regulations affecting child car seats.  The regulations didn’t change the laws, just some of the rules that manufacturers have to follow when designing car seats. (read Transport Canada’s site)

If you have a seat made prior to January 2012, you can keep using it until your child outgrows it.  You do not have to go out an replace your seats but that seat cannot change ownership.

You will not be able to sell a used car seat that does not meet the January 2012 regulations.  

All seats that are sold, in a store or resale by a car seat owner, must meet these new regulations.  

To find out if your seat meets these regulations

  • you have to call the manufacturer of your seat and ask them. 
  • check this “quick reference guide” (a call to manufacturer might give you more piece of mind)

If your seat does not meet the regulations you CANNOT sell it or give it away.  It is ILLEGAL!

Please read below for how to dispose of an un-safe seat.


Proper disposal of a un-safe car seat:

If your seat is expired, has been in a collision, or was made before January 2012 and does not meet the Jan 2012 regulations:

  • cut the harness straps and fabric, making it undesirable for someone else to take
  • put it in a garbage bag, if possible
  • throw it out on garbage day or take it to your local waste facility

If your seat does meet the regulations or is made after January 2012 and is not expired or damaged: you are free to do with it as you choose.

Please keep in mind  that Health Canada has rules around what can be sold.  Please read their “Facts for Garage Sale Vendors” for more info.

Car seats must have a National Safety Mark and meet current regulatory requirements. Remember that it is illegal to sell car seats that do not meet the current regulatory requirements. You should always check with the manufacturer before selling a car seat. Car seats must come with warnings, guidelines for use, installation instructions, and date of manufacture. Do not sell a car seat that is past the lifespan recommended by the manufacturer or that has been in a vehicle during a collision. Before selling a used car seat, check with  Transport Canada(1-800-333-0371 or www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety) for more information and to find out if the car seat has been recalled. Also, be sure that it is in good condition with no missing parts and with functioning anchoring systems.

 


Questions?

Please leave a comment below as other parents may have the same questions!

 


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 Tagged With: car seat safety, used car seat

Follow MapsGirl On…

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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