Keeping Your Precious Cargo Safe

Bringing home a new baby is an exciting experience! Before you can leave the hospital with your baby, you must have a car seat.

Several weeks before baby's expected birthday, it's a good idea to have your infant's car seat installed. Rex Family Birth Center Child Passenger Safety Technician Chris Morris says a car seat isn't effective unless it's installed properly. "It is of utmost importance that parents get their child's seat checked," directs Morris. "There are many local organizations, including fire and police departments, sheriff and highway patrol, Safe Kids Coalition and Rex Hospital, that have specially-trained staff available to check car seats."

Once a seat has been properly installed, parents should regularly check it. "Make sure that the seat is tight in the car, as they do become loose over time," says Morris. "Parents should shake the seat at the belt path of the seat (where the seat belt goes through) and not at the head of the seat. It should not move more than one inch to the left and right or one inch forward."

A very high percentage of car seats are actually not properly installed. However, with increased awareness about car seat safety, that number is improving. Morris continues, "Many seats are not properly installed, but parents are learning proper installation techniques, teaching others and getting their child's seat checked." Morris also notes that parents should remember that if a seat is improperly installed, the child is not only unsafe, but also probably uncomfortable.

Car seats aren't just for babies! As of January 1, 2005, North Carolina State law mandates that any child less than 8 years of age and less than 80 pounds must be in a weight-approved child restraint. It's important for parents to know that children should not ride in the front of any vehicle with an active passenger side airbag. When an airbag deploy a at speeds of up to 200 mph, it can be very dangerous and even deadly for a child. Always remember that the safest place for your car seat is the middle of the back seat.

"Parents should not take their child out of his or her seat too early or turn them forward facing too early," says Morris. Also, many parents may not know that used or hand-me-down child seats can be unsafe. "The plastic within the seat deteriorates over time due to temperature changes and can crack or malfunction. To assist parents, newer seats now have an expiration date on the seat which is approximately six years past the manufacture date"

Car seats are designed to withstand pressure and keep your child safe. In case you are in a major car accident (more severe than a "fender bender") you may want to purchase a new seat. "Parents who have been in an accident really should destroy their child's car seat," advises Morris. Many insurance companies will honor the seat as being part of the car's content and will replace it.

"Our goal at Rex is to ensure that every child rides home from the hospital safely," says Morris. For more information on selection, installation, and correct usage of car seats, go to www.nhtsa.dot.gov.