Lemonade
New member
Director was very open to including an info sheet. This is what I have. Most of it is stolen from something someone had on a FB page a while back that I copied to my FB notes. Not sure who it was and I'm sorry you're not getting credit for it. THANKS!
CAR SEAT REMINDERS
1) POSITION OF THE HARNESS – The shoulder harness must come from at or below your child’s shoulders for rear facing, at or above for forward facing.
2) IT’S A CHEST CLIP, NOT A BELLY CLIP – The top of the chest clip should be aligned with the armpits.
3) SNUG AS A HUG – Make sure the straps are tightened properly. Rule of thumb: you shouldn’t be able to pinch a horizontal fold in the strap.
4) KNOW YOUR SEAT’S LIMITS – A seat is outgrown rear-facing when either the weight limit is reached OR the child’s head has less than 1” of hard shell above it. A seat is outgrown forward-facing when any one of these happen: a) weight limit is reached, b) Shoulders are above the top harness slots, c) tops of ears are above the hard plastic shell. Most seats are outgrown by height before weight.
5) UNDERSTAND HOW TO USE LATCH – In most cases “borrowing” outboard LATCH to install the car seat in the center is not acceptable. Approved LATCH positions should be outlined in your vehicle manual. Also, car seats are not meant to be installed using both the LATCH and a seat belt at the same time. One or the other, not both. In most cars, you can’t use the LATCH system after 40lbs. Check your vehicle manual.
8) EXTENDED REAR FACING – Toddlers riding forward facing are 5X more likely to be seriously injured than if they are riding rear facing. For this reason, the American Academy of Pediatrics states that toddlers should remain rear-facing until at least the age of 2 years. Your child’s feet will touch the seat back; however this is perfectly safe since the forces in an accident are typically directed to the front or side of the car. Legs are actually more likely to be broken forward facing than rear-facing…and besides a broken leg is better than a broken neck!
9) HOW LONG DO WE HARNESS – Child passenger safety advocates recommend harnessing past the 4 year and 40lb legal minimum, up until 6 years old. At 6 years, a child’s bones are more solid and mature to take crash forces from a seat belt, a child is better able to sit properly in a booster, and understand the importance of keeping a seat belt in place.
10) WHICH KIND OF BOOSTER – High back boosters are recommended over backless boosters because they provide side impact protection, artificial hips, and tend to better position children in the seat.
11) OUT OF THE BOOSTER – Your child should use a booster until she can pass the five step test. Google it!
12) COLD WEATHER CLOTHING – Bulky coats prevent you from getting a tight fit with the straps. In an accident the filler will compress leaving your child essentially with loose harnesses that may not be able to restrain her. Use a thinner jacket, like fleece.
13) EXPIRATION DATES – Car seats do expire. The hot/cold cycling fatigues the plastic and it no longer has the original strength. The expiration date and/or manufacture date are stamped right onto the seat. Check your manual for more information. Also, a car seat “expires” when it’s been in any accident. Replacements are generally covered by insurance in this case.
14) SEATCHECKS AND MORE INFORMATION – To have your seat checked or ask questions about your specific seat or vehicle, please go to CAR-SEAT.ORG. You can also find a seat check in your area by going to SEATCHECK.ORG.
CAR SEAT REMINDERS
1) POSITION OF THE HARNESS – The shoulder harness must come from at or below your child’s shoulders for rear facing, at or above for forward facing.
2) IT’S A CHEST CLIP, NOT A BELLY CLIP – The top of the chest clip should be aligned with the armpits.
3) SNUG AS A HUG – Make sure the straps are tightened properly. Rule of thumb: you shouldn’t be able to pinch a horizontal fold in the strap.
4) KNOW YOUR SEAT’S LIMITS – A seat is outgrown rear-facing when either the weight limit is reached OR the child’s head has less than 1” of hard shell above it. A seat is outgrown forward-facing when any one of these happen: a) weight limit is reached, b) Shoulders are above the top harness slots, c) tops of ears are above the hard plastic shell. Most seats are outgrown by height before weight.
5) UNDERSTAND HOW TO USE LATCH – In most cases “borrowing” outboard LATCH to install the car seat in the center is not acceptable. Approved LATCH positions should be outlined in your vehicle manual. Also, car seats are not meant to be installed using both the LATCH and a seat belt at the same time. One or the other, not both. In most cars, you can’t use the LATCH system after 40lbs. Check your vehicle manual.
8) EXTENDED REAR FACING – Toddlers riding forward facing are 5X more likely to be seriously injured than if they are riding rear facing. For this reason, the American Academy of Pediatrics states that toddlers should remain rear-facing until at least the age of 2 years. Your child’s feet will touch the seat back; however this is perfectly safe since the forces in an accident are typically directed to the front or side of the car. Legs are actually more likely to be broken forward facing than rear-facing…and besides a broken leg is better than a broken neck!
9) HOW LONG DO WE HARNESS – Child passenger safety advocates recommend harnessing past the 4 year and 40lb legal minimum, up until 6 years old. At 6 years, a child’s bones are more solid and mature to take crash forces from a seat belt, a child is better able to sit properly in a booster, and understand the importance of keeping a seat belt in place.
10) WHICH KIND OF BOOSTER – High back boosters are recommended over backless boosters because they provide side impact protection, artificial hips, and tend to better position children in the seat.
11) OUT OF THE BOOSTER – Your child should use a booster until she can pass the five step test. Google it!
12) COLD WEATHER CLOTHING – Bulky coats prevent you from getting a tight fit with the straps. In an accident the filler will compress leaving your child essentially with loose harnesses that may not be able to restrain her. Use a thinner jacket, like fleece.
13) EXPIRATION DATES – Car seats do expire. The hot/cold cycling fatigues the plastic and it no longer has the original strength. The expiration date and/or manufacture date are stamped right onto the seat. Check your manual for more information. Also, a car seat “expires” when it’s been in any accident. Replacements are generally covered by insurance in this case.
14) SEATCHECKS AND MORE INFORMATION – To have your seat checked or ask questions about your specific seat or vehicle, please go to CAR-SEAT.ORG. You can also find a seat check in your area by going to SEATCHECK.ORG.
