“Click it or Ticket” is a familiar slogan to adults to remind them to buckle up, but what about their kids? Child car restraints, such as a car seat or booster seats, can be so confusing. There are as many questions coming from parents about them, as there are choices in car restraint systems. I have seen car seats evolve since my first son was born almost 16 years ago. The laws have changed, as well as how cars are equipped for car seats.
What is a parent to do when faced with the challenge of finding the safest, easiest, best fitting car seat for their child? The first thing I did was go to my computer. There are a few excellent resources I would recommend. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website was very useful and informative. They have done the homework for you by testing car seats and listing their safety rating. The website also compares child restraint systems so you can be sure it is the best fitting for your child and your vehicle. Not all car seats are created equal. The highest rated car seat may not be the best one for your vehicle or child.
LATCH, which stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children, is a child safety system that became effective in September, 2002. Vehicles manufactured after that date are equipped with anchors and tethers to attach the car seat to. This system was supposed to simplify installation of car restraint systems, however, many parents are still improperly restraining their child. According to the website www.baby-car-seat-injury.com, over 500 children a year are killed because they are either unrestrained or effectively unrestrained. Many parents lovingly snap their kids into their car seat, not realizing seat belts are less effective than the anchors and tethers.
To find out if you are securing your child properly, visit an official check station. The NHTSA website at www.nhtsa.gov will give you check stations in your city, such ast the Sacramento Police Station at 5303 Franklin Blvd. The most frequently misunderstood fact about car seats is the age at which they are no longer legally required. In California the requirement is age 6 or 60 pounds. The emphasis for safety is on the weight of the child not the age. Remember, the best car seat is the one that fits your child properly, is easy to use and fits in your vehicle correctly.