A List of Car Seat Don'ts

Every parents want their child to be always safe wherever they may be. In a car, a child is always safer in his/her own car seat. As a guideline, please see a listing of car seat don'ts that I have compiled. Please use the below list only as a guideline and always check with the manual of your own car seat for more specific detail regarding your particular brand/model. Also, consult with your local safety agency for the best and most recent information concerning child safety.

1. DO NOT place a child seat rear-facing in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger air bag unless deactivated.
This is so important! Don't risk placing your rear facing car seat in the front passenger seat of your car as serious injury and much worst can occur in case of a collision. The back seat is always the safest place for children under 12.

2. DO NOT use a child seat in a forward facing position for children less than one year of age OR weighing less than 20 pounds.
You should use a rear facing infant car seat especially for newborns. A rear facing car seat is a must especially when you take out the infant for the first time from the hospital to your home. At that very delicate moment, the baby still can't support the weight of his/her head. A rear facing car seat placed on the back seat of the car provides the best protection to your little one.

3. DO NOT modify the vehicle without advice from the vehicle manufacturer if a tether anchorage is not available.
Some older cars may not have tether anchorage and you may own one. Be very careful and consult your vehicle manufacturer before proceeding with any changes.

4. DO NOT take apart or attempt to take apart the harness. Never remove the buckle tongues from the harness. They cannot be reattached after removal. If assembled incorrectly, the child seat may not perform as intended.
Some car seats have easy to use harnesses. Some don't. Try to follow your manufacturer guidelines. As a rule, don't dissemble them as you may not be able to put them back together properly.

5. DO NOT buy a second hand car seat if you don't know its usage history.
Never buy a car seat from a previous owner you don't know. It's a no-no to use a car seat that was involved in a car crash. What is seemingly good looking on the outside might be disintegrating on the inside. You never really know if the seller is saying the truth so why take the chance just to save a few bucks.

Lastly, do not be a "know-it-all". Consult the manual and always double check the installation. If you have doubts or just to be on the safe side have your car seat checked by a car seat technician or the local police or fireman. If a car seat safety clinic is available on your area, go there as well.

Have a safe ride with the kids.