Car seats are one of the most important safety items you will buy for your baby. However, if they are not used properly they will not protect your child from injury in case of an accident. Knowing your particular seat's expiration date, how to correctly anchor your seat into the car and how to use the harness and chest clip properly are some of the important things that you should know. This article will discuss some important car seat safety tips that will help protect your baby.
Do car seats expire? Yes, they do. Is this a ploy by the manufacturers to get you to spend more money? No, it is not. Car seats do in fact expire for a few reasons. Just like with any product, parts start to break down from everyday wear and tear. After extended use and age it is possible for a car seat to get a tiny fracture that you are not aware of that would cause the seat to be less effective in case of an accident. Plus technology and safety standards are always changing, and an older seat may not meet to most current standards. All that being said you should take note of your child seat's expiration date, it is usually found on the bottom or the side. If it expires you really should invest in a new car seat.
Chicco Cortina Travel System Stroller
Many parents do not correctly install their car seat. All car seats made after 2002 come with what is known as the LATCH system. The seat has straps that you clip onto anchors in your car to keep the seat secure. You also have the option of securing the seat with the seat belts if you have an older car that does not have the anchors for the car seat. You must choose one method or the other. Using both does not make your seat more secure it is actually more dangerous to do that. Make sure that you read the installation directions very thoroughly. To check to see if the seat is installed safely make sure that you cannot shake it more than an inch from side to side or from front to back.
Another mistake that many parents make, without realizing, is not using the harness straps and the chest clip correctly. When you buckle your child you should be able to stick your index finger between the strap and your baby's collar bone. If you can fit more fingers in there it is not tight enough. If you cannot get your finger to fit, the straps are too tight. Both instances could cause harm to the child in case of an accident. The chest clip should be even with your child's armpits. The purpose of the chest clip is to ensure that the straps stay in place and to keep your baby's head from jerking too much with a sudden stop. You should check the straps each time you use the seat, the straps can start to loosen over time, and you may not even realize.
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Chicco Cortina KeyFit 30 Travel System - Midori Feature
- The Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat is the premier infant carrier for safety, comfort, and convenience. The KeyFit 30 is packed with features that make this Infant Car Seat the easiest to install. Designed especially for the Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat, the Cortina Stroller works as a travel system for your infant and a full-size stroller for your growing baby. The Cortina Stroller will satisfy your desire for convenience, comfort and safety.
Chicco Cortina KeyFit 30 Travel System - Midori Overview
The Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat is the premier infant carrier for safety, comfort, and convenience. The KeyFit 30 is packed with features that make this Infant Car Seat the easiest to install and thus the safest choice for your baby. Designed especially for the Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat, the Cortina Stroller works as a travel system for your infant and a full-size stroller for your growing baby. The Cortina Stroller will satisfy your desire for convenience, comfort and safety. KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat - now rated up to 30 lbs! Energy-absorbing foam for improved side-impact protection Removable newborn insert for smaller babies Thickly cushioned seat pad and five-point harness for maximum comfort Spring-assisted level foot, bubble levels, and "Center-Pull" adjustment for easiest installation Cortina Stroller One-hand fold and automatic storage latch Multi-position, fully reclining seat with "Memory Recline" Parent and child cup holders and large storage basket Multi-position leg rest, reversible canopy, and all wheel suspensionAvailable In Stock. |
