By Heather Wichlaz
I”m a local childcare provider and mother. I have a passion for keeping kids safe in cars. Every single baby seat that I”ve seen recently has been installed incorrectly. The rear-facing baby seats and carriers must have the handle in the down position to be safe. There are only one or two models (one that I can think of) that are safe with the handle up. Please read the instructions on your child safety seat.
The nurse that escorts you out to your car when you take your baby home is not a certified child passenger safety technician. They are only checking that you have a seat and it”s buckled into the car securely. They do not know the rules and installation guides for every make and model. Please read the instructions. Also, you can not use the latch in the middle seat unless the owner”s manual of your car says it”s OK to do so. Most car manufacturers have only put a latch on the outward seats. If you desire a middle of the back seat installation you will need to use the seat belt to install the car seat.
Also, the car seat laws are the minimum standards that should be followed. Just because you can turn your baby forward-facing at 12 months doesn”t mean that you should. You can find car seats that will safely rear-face up to 35 pounds in most big box stores. Children that are rear-facing are more than five times less likely to be seriously injured in a crash.
Heather Wichlaz
Lakeport
