When Should Parents Consider Child and Car Safety?

Keeping kids safe in the car is a concern for every parent. (image by babble.com)

If someone asked us when parents should consider and begin to practice child safety as it relates to cars, we’d answer that these things should start before their child is even born.

This may sound strange, but as any mother will tell you, the impact from a child begins months before birth. Thus, our answer to the previous question. Since mothers are carrying unborn children for the gestation period, child safety is impacted by the mother’s safety.

While expectant mothers are undergoing physical changes to their bodies, such as the expansion in their abdomens and widening of their hips in the first trimester — changes that continue for all 40 weeks they’ll carry their child — we suggest the same for them as we would any other driver. Wearing their seat belts.

We’ve heard the myth that seat belts endanger the lives of the unborn, but it’s just that — a myth, as long as seat belts are worn properly. That means expectant mothers should wear their seat belts, with the lap belt should be across her hips and below her belly, and the shoulder belt should be across her chest, between the breasts.

With the new arrival of a bundle of joy, we shift from the safety of the mother to the child itself. It may be easy to think that installing a car seat is a simple matter. Put the child seat in the car, insert child, and we’re done, right?

Not so fast. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) says 75% of car seats are installed and/or used incorrectly. Fortunately, many hospitals have Child Passenger Safety (SPC) Technicians who can help parents of newborns properly install and secure their car seats.

But what do you do if you’re on your own? While the documentation and instructions included with the child seat is a good start, we think the NHTSA’s free child safety seatinspection centersare also worth the few minutes of time they’ll take to visit. These government-funded centers are based throughout the nation, and they’ll help to ensure a child seat is installed correctly,preferably using the LATCH system.

LATCH, or the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children system, has been standard equipment on every car sold in the United States since 2002. All child seats produced since that time are also LATCH compliant. The system employs different sets ofÿanchors to be used with child restraints.

However, if you don’t have access to these resources then you’re left to install it yourself. With all the latches and straps installation may seem complicated. But don’t worry; we’ve got you covered below.

The primary role of a car seat for infants is to protect the head and neck, which are the most vulnerable to long-term complications in the event of a collision. There are two types of car seats for infants: rear-facing, infant-only; and convertible seats. Rear-facing, infant-only care seats are ideal for newborns but they become obsolete once the child grows to more than 20 pounds. When you’re installing your little one’s car seat we suggest you follow the steps outlined in the manufacturer’s instruction manual. However, here are some general tips that will help you properly secure your newborn. If you’re more of a visual learner you can watch installation videos provided by the NHTSA.

If you can move the car seat more than an inch then the straps aren’t tight enough. To get them tight enough we suggest you find a way to put your weight into the car seat and then pull the straps as hard as you can. It’s important that the seat moves as little as possible while you’re in transit.Ensure the carrier straps are tight and the harness clip is even with your baby’s shoulders or armpits and the straps are in the slot that lines up close to the infant’s shoulders.If your baby has some extra space in the seat you can place rolled receiving blankets or towels on each side to keep him or her from wobbling. Avoid placing anything under the harness straps.Locking clips are necessary for some vehicles made before 1997. This is necessary because these vehicles don’t have seat belts that lock when the brakes are slammed, so the clip keeps belt from slipping if an accident occurs.Your baby’s head should be at least two inches below the top of the safety seat and make sure the seat is set at a 30 to 45-degree angle.You can see more tips at DMV.org or Kids Health.

Convertible seats, the alternative to rear-facing, infant-only seats, are designed so that they can be used by infants after they’re heavier than 20 pounds. When the baby reaches that weight the seat can be turned to face forward and it’s secured with three types of harnesses: T-shield, tray shield, and five-point. All of these types meet required safety standards, but the five-point harness is regarded as the best option since it can be tightened to fit snugly and it doesn’t get in the way of the baby’s head. When installing a convertible seat you should make sure all straps are as tight as possible to prevent it from wobbling.

While infants should always be placed in rear-facing car seats, once a child has reached at least one year of age and weighs at least 20 pounds they can utilize forward-facing child safety seats installed in the rear of the car. That being said, they’re safer in a rear-facing seat, so keep them in one for as long as possible.Forward-facing seats, like the ones that come before, should be installed using LATCH rather than seat belts, if possible. Here are some other tips:

If you’re installing a forward-facing seat make sure it’s set directly against the back and bottom of the car seat. When you’re installing the seat make sure to put weight on the seat to push it back as far as possible so the straps will be as tight as they can be.Make sure the seat can’t move side to side or tip forward more than an inch. If it does then unbuckle it and try again.If your car was made before 1996 then you’ll probably need to buy a locking clip to prevent the lap and shoulder seat belts from slipping.Make sure the straps lie flat and tug on them to make sure they’re secure once your baby is fastened into the seat.If you can pinch any of the harness material between your fingers then it’s too loose and needs to be adjusted.

There are no rear-facing car seats available for this age group, and we don’t know of any children of this age group that would be content to sit facing the rear of the car. So, once a child reaches age four, you’ll have no choice but to move to a forward-facing seat.

Keep a child in this age range in their child seat until they outgrow either the height or weight limits specified by the seat manufacturer. Once this happens, it’s time to switch to a booster seat.

Once a child reaches eight years of age or is at least 4’9” tall, they should be placed in booster seats. Most booster seats simply elevate the child’s seating position and enable them to use the standard seat belts on a car. LATCH is not required nor should it be used with booster seats.

At some point during this period, you’ll likely transition the child from booster seat to just using the standard seat belt of the automobile with no otherÿencumbrances. Make sure they’re wearing the belt properly, with the lap portionÿacross their upper thighs and the shoulder portion across their chest.

We’ve heard lots of chatter regarding the so-called “combination seats.” These seats are marketed as being able to go from a rear facing infant seat to a forward facing toddler seat and then finally to a booster seat for older children. A testing study performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found significant problemswith these combination seats.

Children should always ride in the back seat of a car, if possible, no matter if they’re in a car seat, a booster seat, or if they’re old enough to wear seat belts.ÿAll modern cars now have both driver side and passenger side front airbags, which are designed for full-sized adults. Airbags can injure or kill a child, and the back seat is simply the safest place in the car.

Finally, don’t assume that just because your child isn’t in a car that all auto-related dangers areÿabated. Child pedestrians are killed at a greater rate than any other age group. In fact,male children, aged 5 to 9 years old, are the largest group of pedestrians killed every year. Children can still fall victim to an automobile by darting into a road without looking or by playing on a street.

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Best Car Insurance For Your Teen

Photograph the idea... 2006 Your current young kid features only attained the owners licenses so you as being a parent or guardian are facing the work involving acquiring affordable vehicle insurance to hide your ex along with shield you both.

Insurance charges may vary considerably. Keep reading to discover tips on how to you will discover a fantastic affordable vehicle insurance insurance plan.

We will deal with the idea. With this get older, your current kid doesn't have got the feeling needed for insurance agencies to take into consideration these people anything but an increased threat. Nevertheless there are several actions to discover very good affordable insurance plan along with assist in keeping your current payments along.

Know-how can be electrical power. And each of our accountability while mothers and fathers for you to offer this specific know-how to young children.

New driver Protection
The 1st and quite a few important thing anyone as being a parent or guardian should strain for a fresh qualified kid will be the incredible importance of protection. Deficiency of protection can be the reason lots of unwanted deaths in the us and also other international locations yearly.

Folks who wants convey . this info for many years, mail the crooks to a new operating institution wherever they might learn from pros. Nearly all highschools present his or her individuals a new owners education and learning type.

Clean up Record
Your current youngsters record can have a principal influence on the price tag on your current insurance charges. Without having infractions as well as injuries, your payments will certainly lessen after a while.

Sort of Car or truck
Should your kid wishes a new only two entrance crimson game with regards to, be ready to shell out a new big enhance throughout payments. Autos using only two entrance doors are viewed athletics autos along with stastics demonstrate people that will crimson autos are going to complete additional injuries when compared with some other coloring. Affordable vehicle insurance will not be a possibility in your case using this type of selections.

Protection Capabilities
Go with a car or truck that may be abundant in protection capabilities along with nice in lessening your current fees.

Deductables
It's also possible to decrease your charges by simply choosing a larger deductable. Usually the larger your deductable, the bottom your regular top quality.

Savings
When you find yourself seeking affordable vehicle insurance along with receiving quotations via several firms, find what savings are for sale for items like, a number of auto plans, owners education and learning loans, protecting operating coarses concluded along with clean up operating documents. Competition inside motor vehicle sector can be crazy. A number of firms are going to present even bigger savings when compared with people.

Acquiring Affordable Vehicle insurance On-line
The most effective way for you to actually zero throughout with a firm whom gives affordable vehicle insurance should be to find quotations via many firm along with assess his or her gives. Esurance.com and Insurance.com are two great places to do this.

Getting Affordable Car Insurance Rates

Every person would like cost-effective motor insurance yet no person desires to pay out the purchase price. Which could not need produced significantly perception for your requirements nevertheless the insurance policy customer must be far better educated. There has to be time used on teaching oneself adequate to produce clever selections concerning your following insurance policy obtain. Way too many individuals steer clear of almost all duty in terms of getting motor insurance. You don't need a great insurance policy training course to know the basic principles associated with ranking motor insurance. Go through the declarations site for you motor insurance and you may locate almost all you need to realize.

The particular Declarations Site

1. Coverage Period of time – Here is the certain time frame the coverage is beneficial. Several motor insurance procedures provide an twelve-monthly revival among others use a half a dozen calendar month revival. Usually do not go shopping for motor insurance using a declarations site in which demonstrates the coverage period of time provides terminated. Which could make you become put in to a sub-standard provider. Go shopping one or more calendar month just before the insurance policy is preparing to run out.

a couple of. Autos – The autos can have an effect on the actual injury fee. Any time purchasing, make certain you supply the quoting business the car recognition variety of your entire autos. It's usually on your own declarations site.


3. Individuals inside Family – Each homeowner comparable using a driver’s licence needs to be outlined around the coverage except if they've got some other insurance policy.

some. Responsibility Restrictions – They're the particular restrictions regarding actual injuries and also house injury insurance policy. This is very crucial insurance coverage and also wii destination for a lower your expenses in case you are home operator. This kind of percentage of the coverage pays off rewards for the get together which you have could have wounded in a car crash. In addition, it covers the particular injury to their particular car.

5. Actual Injury – That is the accident and also extensive gain which you notice on your own declarations site. That is insurance coverage to your autos. The allowable assortment can boost or perhaps reduced the particular fee.


They're a number of the several coverage rewards that you will find on your own declarations site. Question the insurance carrier concerning special discounts and also tort alternative. Understand almost all you could and you may make your car or truck insurance policy cheaper.
Auto insurance will be one particular items inside the price range which is constantly planning to become right now there. You can find hardly any areas in the us in which enable you to push autos with out insurance policy therefore that behooves every single one folks to acquire a far better deal with about our personal automobile insurance insurance coverage. A will be transforming somewhat as the opposition will be robust. You can find fresh and also imaginative automobile procedures available today. The particular craze which includes obtained one of the most energy could be the self-insuring notion. Increased deductibles could be the gun the consumer are able to use to lessen costs substantially. Increased deductibles ensures that the particular policyholder provides made a decision to battle a lot more with the chance for your autos covered by insurance. The afternoon regarding lower accident deductibles will be just about long gone. Reduced deductibles will no longer guarantee the particular large monthly premiums. There is certainly excess amount being stored together with increased deductibles.

Reducing the particular Costs regarding Younger Individuals

Younger individuals about new autos who have any lien holder’s attention can improve the automobile fee substantially. The particular accident and also extensive costs regarding individuals beneath 21 years old years have become large. A new motorist by using an more mature car minus the accident and also extensive insurance coverage can reduced the particular fee substantially. You can find special discounts regarding younger individuals that have accomplished a professional individuals training program. Several organizations have got excellent pupil special discounts about pupils using a level level common regarding 3. 0 or perhaps far better. If the younger motorist actually reaches 21 years old the particular costs commence to fall for some organizations.


Senior citizen Special discounts – Many organizations have got special discounts for folks age group fifty-five and also more mature that are outdated or perhaps perform lower than 20 hrs weekly. You can find fully developed traveling classes that will furthermore supply the senior citizen any lower price.

Multi-Policy Lower price – This kind of lower price can be acquired once you make sure equally the automobile and also residence with all the identical insurance carrier.

Tort Alternatives – Several organizations offer you special discounts to get a constrained tort alternative. Tort can be your power to file suit regarding soreness and also enduring. Constrained tort costs in a few declares reduce the total quality with the coverage around 30%. Question the insurance carrier in regards to the tort alternatives within your express.