Getting your children to their destinations safely is paramount, even more so than arriving on time. National Seat Check Saturday, observed this year on September 21st, serves as an important reminder to ensure our children are secured in the appropriate car seats for their age and size. Apex Pediatrics Doctors emphasize the critical role of correct car seat usage in preventing injuries.
Every car seat and booster seat comes with specific guidelines regarding weight and height limits, as well as installation procedures. It’s essential to consult the manual or the information sticker located on the side of your car seat. However, some general rules of thumb, often highlighted by apex pediatrics doctors, can be helpful:
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Rear-Facing for Infants and Toddlers: Infants and toddlers should remain in rear-facing car seats for as long as possible. They should only transition to forward-facing once they exceed the rear-facing weight or height limit specified by their car seat manufacturer.
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Forward-Facing with Harness: Once a child outgrows the rear-facing limits, they should use a forward-facing car seat with a harness for as long as possible, again, until they reach the maximum weight or height limit for that seat.
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Booster Seats: After exceeding the forward-facing limits, children should transition to belt-positioning booster seats. Booster seats are necessary until the vehicle’s lap and shoulder seat belt fits properly across their shoulder and chest. This typically occurs when a child reaches a height of 4 feet 9 inches and is between 8 and 12 years old.
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Back Seat Safety: Children under the age of 13 should always ride in the back seat. It is never safe to place a car seat or booster seat in the front seat, especially in vehicles equipped with airbags. Apex pediatrics doctors strongly advise against front seat car seat placement for children.
To further enhance your child’s safety, consider having your car seat installation inspected by a certified technician. Many local fire departments and police stations offer this service free of charge. In areas around Apex, including Morrisville, Fuquay-Varina, Durham, and Raleigh, numerous locations provide car seat checks.
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Child in a forward-facing car seat with harness, emphasizing car seat safety guidelines recommended by Apex pediatrics doctors.]
To locate a car seat inspection station near you, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website and use their search tool by entering your zip code: https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/car-seats-and-booster-seats#installation-help-inspection. Consulting resources like NHTSA and seeking advice from professionals, such as apex pediatrics doctors, are vital steps in ensuring your child’s safety on every journey.
