Here's a great video showing pics of kids who are extended rear-facing.
And another one that shows older/bigger kids who are still harnessed, instead of being in a booster already.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Monday, May 31, 2010
ME! Talking about child car seat safety on Breakfast Television, tomorrow!
Watch Breakfast Television on CityTV (in Winnipeg!) tomorrow morning at about 8:45am to catch me chatting with Jon Ljungberg about keeping your kids as safe as possible while traveling in your car/van/truck/SUV!
I'll be talking about common errors, types of carseats, and installation tips. Hopefully I look really cute & smart, and not overly nervous!
EDITED: It went well! Of course, I haven't seen it yet, but I had fun. Here's a photo from the show (#7). I don't look as cute as I was hoping but I guess it could have been worse.
I'll be talking about common errors, types of carseats, and installation tips. Hopefully I look really cute & smart, and not overly nervous!
EDITED: It went well! Of course, I haven't seen it yet, but I had fun. Here's a photo from the show (#7). I don't look as cute as I was hoping but I guess it could have been worse.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
is your child as safe as they can possibly be?
I've been hearing lot of comments from people lately who have friends/family/co-workers, etc, who may not be following what we techs like to call "best practice" when it comes to kids & carseats.
Here are a couple of things to remember:
1. Follow the law! Check the laws in your province regarding child restraints. Please, at least follow the law, which is the bare minimum in keeping your child safe.
2. Read the manual!! Reading the manual for your child car seat is the FIRST thing you should do! There are many common errors which could be avoided by reading the information provided.
3. Ask questions!!! If you aren't sure that your seat is installed correctly, or the right seat for your child, or if you're not sure that they are buckled in properly, ask someone! Find a tech (Hi, I'm a tech, remember? Send me an email or call me! I love doing private inspections and helping someone out!). Go to a clinic. Just make sure that you are keeping your child as safe as you can.
Here are a couple of things to remember:
1. Follow the law! Check the laws in your province regarding child restraints. Please, at least follow the law, which is the bare minimum in keeping your child safe.
2. Read the manual!! Reading the manual for your child car seat is the FIRST thing you should do! There are many common errors which could be avoided by reading the information provided.
3. Ask questions!!! If you aren't sure that your seat is installed correctly, or the right seat for your child, or if you're not sure that they are buckled in properly, ask someone! Find a tech (Hi, I'm a tech, remember? Send me an email or call me! I love doing private inspections and helping someone out!). Go to a clinic. Just make sure that you are keeping your child as safe as you can.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
successful clinic on March 6th
CLINIC WAS GREAT! Will post details on next clinic when info becomes available.
There will be a FREE carseat clinic on Saturday, March 6th at the MPI Claim Center on St.Mary's Road (by the Dairy Queen).
Come on down for a free seat inspection!
Bring the child(ren) with you, if you can, so that we can check the fit of the seat, and make sure it's appropriate for your child.
If you can't bring the child(ren), come down anyhow and we can check your installation for you.
Clinic runs from 9:30am - 1:30pm.
If you can't make it to this clinic, I will post about the next one.
As always, feel free to comment/email me with questions!
There will be a FREE carseat clinic on Saturday, March 6th at the MPI Claim Center on St.Mary's Road (by the Dairy Queen).
Come on down for a free seat inspection!
Bring the child(ren) with you, if you can, so that we can check the fit of the seat, and make sure it's appropriate for your child.
If you can't bring the child(ren), come down anyhow and we can check your installation for you.
Clinic runs from 9:30am - 1:30pm.
If you can't make it to this clinic, I will post about the next one.
As always, feel free to comment/email me with questions!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
EMERSON Article ~more details (booster seats)
BOOSTER SEATS
Many parents wonder when they can safely move their child to a booster seat. A booster seat can have a high or low back, and its sole purpose is to raise the child up to fit properly in the adult seatbelt. A booster seat does not restrain the child, but allows the seatbelt to restrain them. A booster seat may ONLY be used with a lap/shoulder belt system, NEVER with a lap belt alone!
You may not use a booster seat until your child is over 40lbs, and even then, you may want to consider keeping your child harnessed if they are not mature enough for a booster. It is not recommended that a child use a booster seat until they are at least 4-1/2 years of age.
To safely use a booster seat, your child must sit properly at all times. This means no napping, no wiggling/squirming, no reaching for toys, or slumping, or leaning. Any movement or shifting that puts the child out of position for the seatbelt to fit properly puts your child in danger of being injured in a collision.
If your child weighs at least 40lbs, and is able to sit properly in their booster seat every time, make sure they fit the booster properly. The shoulder belt needs to come over the child’s shoulder, not the neck, and should never be placed behind the child, or under their arm. The lap belt should come across the child’s hipbones, not their upper thighs, and NEVER over their abdomen. If the seatbelt does not fit properly, it will not protect your child, and you may want to reconsider keeping your child in a 5-point harness for a while longer.
Many parents wonder when they can safely move their child to a booster seat. A booster seat can have a high or low back, and its sole purpose is to raise the child up to fit properly in the adult seatbelt. A booster seat does not restrain the child, but allows the seatbelt to restrain them. A booster seat may ONLY be used with a lap/shoulder belt system, NEVER with a lap belt alone!
You may not use a booster seat until your child is over 40lbs, and even then, you may want to consider keeping your child harnessed if they are not mature enough for a booster. It is not recommended that a child use a booster seat until they are at least 4-1/2 years of age.
To safely use a booster seat, your child must sit properly at all times. This means no napping, no wiggling/squirming, no reaching for toys, or slumping, or leaning. Any movement or shifting that puts the child out of position for the seatbelt to fit properly puts your child in danger of being injured in a collision.
If your child weighs at least 40lbs, and is able to sit properly in their booster seat every time, make sure they fit the booster properly. The shoulder belt needs to come over the child’s shoulder, not the neck, and should never be placed behind the child, or under their arm. The lap belt should come across the child’s hipbones, not their upper thighs, and NEVER over their abdomen. If the seatbelt does not fit properly, it will not protect your child, and you may want to reconsider keeping your child in a 5-point harness for a while longer.
EMERSON Article ~ more details (forward-facing)
Here's another detailed post. In this one I talk about forward-facing.
FORWARD FACING
Most forward-facing carseats used to have a maximum-harnessed weight limit of 40lbs, after which you would be required to move your child to a booster seat, regardless of height or age. This was "fine" if you had a light child, but many kids hit 40lbs at 3 years of age (or sooner!)
There are now many options available which will allow you to keep your child harnessed up to 47, or even 65lbs. A 5-point harness is the safest option for your child, and it is recommended to keep them in the 5-point harness to the maximum weight/height limit of the seat. When buckling your child, the chest clip should be at armpit level, the straps should be untwisted, and lay flat, and the harness should be snug enough that you can’t pinch any slack in the webbing. You should be able to fit only 1 finger between the webbing and your child’s chest.
FORWARD FACING
Most forward-facing carseats used to have a maximum-harnessed weight limit of 40lbs, after which you would be required to move your child to a booster seat, regardless of height or age. This was "fine" if you had a light child, but many kids hit 40lbs at 3 years of age (or sooner!)
There are now many options available which will allow you to keep your child harnessed up to 47, or even 65lbs. A 5-point harness is the safest option for your child, and it is recommended to keep them in the 5-point harness to the maximum weight/height limit of the seat. When buckling your child, the chest clip should be at armpit level, the straps should be untwisted, and lay flat, and the harness should be snug enough that you can’t pinch any slack in the webbing. You should be able to fit only 1 finger between the webbing and your child’s chest.
EMERSON Article ~ more details (rear-facing)
Some of you may have younger children, or babies, and may be wanting some information on infant seats, convertible seats, and rear-facing. Here you go!
Remember, if you have questions/comments/want a seat inspection, use the comments feature at the bottom of each post, or click my profile and send me an email!
REAR FACING
A rear-facing infant seat is safest for a newborn. You want to make sure that the shoulder straps are coming out below, or just even with the shoulders. If the strap slot being used is above the shoulders, it is not a proper fit, and you should move the harness to the next lower slot, or a different seat should be used.
By law in Manitoba, you need to keep your child rear facing until they are 1 year old and 20 lbs and walking unassisted. Do remember that this is the bare minimum. It is now recommended to keep your child rear facing for as long as possible. If your child weighs more than 20lbs before they are 1 year old, you need to purchase a convertible seat with a higher weight limit so that they can remain rear-facing.
Do NOT worry about your child’s feet touching the vehicle seat back, or their legs being “too long”. Your child’s legs and feet are fine, and will not be injured. The biggest concern should always be your child’s head and neck, since children as old as 2 or 3 still have large heads and weak necks in proportion to their bodies.
Once your child outgrows the infant seat, it is recommended to use a convertible carseat in a rear facing position. Many convertible seats now rear-face to 35, or even 40 lbs, which gives you the opportunity to keep your child rear facing past a year.
When buckling your infant, make sure the chest clip is at armpit level, and that the straps are not twisted or folded, and snug enough that you cannot pinch any slack in the webbing. You should only be able to fit 1 finger between the webbing and your child’s shoulder.
Remember, if you have questions/comments/want a seat inspection, use the comments feature at the bottom of each post, or click my profile and send me an email!
REAR FACING
A rear-facing infant seat is safest for a newborn. You want to make sure that the shoulder straps are coming out below, or just even with the shoulders. If the strap slot being used is above the shoulders, it is not a proper fit, and you should move the harness to the next lower slot, or a different seat should be used.
By law in Manitoba, you need to keep your child rear facing until they are 1 year old and 20 lbs and walking unassisted. Do remember that this is the bare minimum. It is now recommended to keep your child rear facing for as long as possible. If your child weighs more than 20lbs before they are 1 year old, you need to purchase a convertible seat with a higher weight limit so that they can remain rear-facing.
Do NOT worry about your child’s feet touching the vehicle seat back, or their legs being “too long”. Your child’s legs and feet are fine, and will not be injured. The biggest concern should always be your child’s head and neck, since children as old as 2 or 3 still have large heads and weak necks in proportion to their bodies.
Once your child outgrows the infant seat, it is recommended to use a convertible carseat in a rear facing position. Many convertible seats now rear-face to 35, or even 40 lbs, which gives you the opportunity to keep your child rear facing past a year.
When buckling your infant, make sure the chest clip is at armpit level, and that the straps are not twisted or folded, and snug enough that you cannot pinch any slack in the webbing. You should only be able to fit 1 finger between the webbing and your child’s shoulder.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)