One of the most important topics on the mind of any parent is ensuring their child’s safety, and nowhere should this be more apparent than when driving in the car. Collisions can be deadly for children not properly secured in the vehicle, and the laws surrounding the usage of car seats for young children reflect this fact. Along with purchasing auto insurance, providing for your child’s well-being in the car is one of the best steps you can take to protect them when on the road. If you’re unsure of where to begin when it comes to car seat safety for your child, follow the five simple steps below to get on your way and on the road.
- Understand the Law. Laws surrounding the usage of car seats can vary from state to state, so if you’ve recently moved, it is important to stay up to date on the laws of the state where you will be driving. The restrictions are spelled out on https://www.ctsafekids.org/child-passenger-safety/ here but as an overview you should be aware of the following: Infants must be rear facing until they are a minimum of 20 lbs and 1 year old; toddlers over 1 year should be I a car seat until they are at least 40lbs or more; children over 40 lbs but under 60 should be placed in a car seat or booster seat.
- Fit Just Right. There are four different types of car seats, which you should evaluate for the right fit and function for your child, depending on their age and weight. There are Rear-Facing Car Seats, Forward-Facing Car Seats, Booster Seats, and then finally Seat Belts for children who pass the age and weight requirements listed above. Among these four categories, there are also several sub-categories of backing and support that should be fully understood in their purposes and how they will work for your child.
- Find Your Seat. Going along with number two, once you have identified the right type of car seat for your child—go out and get one! Match the current age and weight of your child with the proper type, and have them start using it immediately.
- Put It in Place. Learn how to properly install your car seat—not doing so could render it ineffective, or worse, even a danger to your child! There are multiple tutorials and videos available online for the best way to install each type of car seat. During your time as a parent, you will likely go through multiple car seats, so it is important to repeat this step with each new seat you utilize.
- Get Registered and Go. Finally, be sure to register your car seat at the Parents Central section of safercar.gov, to be subscribed to any alerts or notices about potential recalls or issues with your child’s car seat.
For everything you want to do to protect your child, we at Beliner-Gelfand & Co., Inc. are here to help you succeed. For an auto insurance quote and more information about the services that we offer for your family, give us a call today at 203-367-7704 and get started.