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Car
Seat Safety
Basic
Do's and Don'ts
DO
make an
appointment to have your seat checked by someone who is certified to install
car seats or attend a car seat safety check. Some car dealers are now
offering car seat checks. If you decide to make an appointment, it usually
only takes about forty-five minutes.
DON'T
make up excuses. Stay aware of current recall and safety information (some
helpful links are provided below). We're all busy, but nothing is more
important than our children.
If you
are in any kind of collision,
DO
replace your car seat(s). Just because your seat "looks fine" doesn't mean
it shouldn't be replaced. Some insurance companies will pay for the cost of
replacing your seat. Also, be sure to check your seat belts as well. They
may need to be replaced after a collision. Remember car seats as well as
seat belts and all safety equipment are designed to withstand
one
major collision. That's why it is crucial that you check all safety
equipment after any collision.
DON'T
buy a seat at a yard sale or a consignment store. Because you don't know the
age or history of the seat, it's best to buy a seat new. The seat may have
been in a collision and you would never know.
DON'T
put your child in the front seat with an airbag. Children under 12 should
always ride in the back seat.
Parental Commitment
Having a car seat that is installed properly isn't going to do any good
unless you have a child who is sitting in the seat. Does your child not like
to sit in his seat? Does she cry when she is put in her seat? TOO
BAD!!!!!!!! "The most important part of what we do involves parental
commitment," says Lt. Jason Wells. Who is the boss of this situation? You
are. You are responsible for the well-being of your child. That seems so
silly to say, but some parents don't enforce this very simple rule: You must
sit in your car seat. Period. If they cry, that's a bummer. They'll get over
it and so will you. It's hard to drive when your child is crying, but you
can do it. If you get your child used to riding in a car seat from the very
beginning, he won't mind sitting in it for the simple reason that he won't
know any other way.
For those in the
Central Kentucky
area who would
like to call the
Lexington Fire
Department to
make an
appointment to
have their seat
checked, call
(859) 455 - SEAT
(7328)
Remember, it
only
takes about 45
minutes. Isn't
it worth it? You
could be saving
your child's life. |
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Not So
Fast
Okay, so you think you know the basics. One thing you may not realize is
that information is CONSTANTLY changing. Seats that were safe one day can be
recalled the next.
Click here to see if your
child's seat has been recalled.
It
is our responsibility as parents to keep abreast of the most current safety
information. This holds true not just for car seats but for anything we use
for our children and in our home.
Click Here to see if some of the
items in your household have been recalled.
There is so much information on
car seat safety and installation and it does sometimes seem like it's
overwhelming to sort through it all, but you
can
do it.
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