This is an interview with Casey Leach, mother and Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST).
When should you start looking into car seats?
Its a good idea to start researching car seats as soon as you know you will be needing one. Don't buy too early though, because car seats lose life from the moment they are manufactured. The longer a car seat sits unused, the shorter the lifespan of that car seat. I recommend purchasing your car seat about a month before your baby is due.
What is the first thing you need to do when picking a car seat?
First, research as much as possible. Figure out what kind of seat you will need. You can speak with a CPST (Child Passenger Safety Technician) for specific advice and suggestions. Also, make an appointment to get your car seat checked by a CPST.
Is it safe to use a car seat you had for a previous baby?
It is safe to use a car seat you had for a previous baby as long as it is not expired and has not been in an accident (this includes the base if it is an infant seat).
What about car seats that you find at yard sales and second hand stores?
It is unsafe to purchase a seat from anybody that you do not know very, very well. This includes second hand stores, yard sales, newspapers, websites such as freecycle or Craigslist, etc. Unless you purchase a brand new car seat or purchase/borrow one from a very close friend or family member, it would be impossible to know the complete history of the seat. There would be no way to know if it has been in an accident, whether the harness & cover have been properly cared for, if it is recalled or expired (this information would not be available if the labels are missing).
Who should install the car seat?
You should take your seat to a CSPT to get checked. Any CPST that checks your seat should determine the best way to install your seat, but you (the parent) should be the last one to install the seat. This is our way of knowing that you understand how to do it properly and are comfortable with doing it yourself should you ever need to reinstall it at a later time.
Where can I find a child passenger safety technician?
Here are a couple links that will help find a CPST in your area:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/CPS/contacts/Index.cfm
http://www.seatcheck.org/
You can also contact your local Safe Kids chapter for some referrals or to find out about any upcoming car seat clinics.
Do they charge? (If yes, how much?)
Usually CPST's do not charge for their service, although you may come across one that does. Fees would vary, depending on the individual.
What is the number one mistake parents make with car seats?
It is pretty difficult to pinpoint the one most common mistake. The most common mistakes I see are children in seats that are not appropriate for their age/size, and children that are not properly harnessed in the seat.
Can my baby wear a coat in a car seat?
No. In a crash, the coat will compress which will create slack in the harness. Nothing thicker than polar fleece should be worn in a car seat. If you are concerned about your child getting cold, then you can warm up the vehicle before putting the child in the car, or you can buckle the child into the car seat and put the jacket on backwards over the harness.
Do car seats expire?
Yes. A car seat expires after 6 years from the date of manufacture. There should be a manufacture date printed on a label or stamped into the plastic somewhere on the seat. Some car seats also have an expiration date printed on it. Usually you can find this information on the back of the seat or under the cover, but the location can vary depending on the seat.
What is the best car seat?
The best seat is one that fits your child and vehicle properly, and one that you will use correctly each and every time.
How do I know if my child has outgrown his car seat?
Rearfacing infant car seat: A child has outgrown a rearfacing infant seat when the maximum weight limit has been reached OR there is less than 1" of plastic shell above his head, whichever comes first.
Rearfacing convertible car seat: A child is too big to rearface in a convertible car seat when the maximum rearfacing weight limit has been reached, or there is less than 1" of plastic shell above his head, whichever comes first.
Forward facing car seat (this includes any forward facing car seat with a harness): A child has outgrown a forward facing harnessed seat when any one of the following occurs - the maximum weight limit has been reached OR the shoulders are above the top harness slots OR the tips of the ears are even with the top of the seat, whichever comes first.
Booster seat: A child should stay in a booster seat until he or she can pass the 5 step test. You should also check your state's booster seat laws.
The 5-Step Test
- Does the child sit all the way back against the vehicle seat?
- Does the child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the vehicle seat?
- Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and the arm?
- Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
- Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?
If you answered "no" to any of these questions, your child needs to be in a booster seat.
My child is a year old, but under 20lb. Can I turn his seat around so he is forward facing?
The absolute minimum age and weight a child should be turned around is 1 year old AND 20lb, though is highly recommended that children continue to rearface to the limits of their convertible car seat. Convertible car seats have rearfacing weight limits of 30-35lb, depending on the seat. A child in a forward facing car seat is much more likely to experience neck and/or spinal injuries in a crash than a child in a rearfacing car seat.
