Car Seat Safety FAQ
Make sure you fill out the Recall paperwork that comes with your seat! Please note we are not Child Passenger Safety Technicians.
If you need to talk to a Child Passanger Safety Technician you can find one in your area by going too http://cert.safekids.org/find-tech-0
For any questions you may have you can join admin approved group Car Seat Safety: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CarSeatSafety2/
Q: Why Rear Face until 4? Is it illegal to forward face before 2?
A: After age 2, the AAP—and other advocates for child passenger safety recommends that children remain RF until age four or until they outgrow the rear-facing height or weight limits of their seat. I promise your child is not too tall to rear face. Kids get comfy in the craziest positions. California and Pennsylvania require your children to remain in a rear facing seat until age 2 or 40 inches and 40 pounds.
http://thecarseatlady.com/when-shou…
http://csftl.org/why-rear-facing-th…
http://www.rearfacing.co.uk/
http://www.joelsjourney.org/
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Car-Safety-Seats-Information-for-Families.aspx
Q: Why you shouldn’t add products to the seat that didn’t come with it! You can buy in a store so it’s safe right? It said it is crash tested?
A: These products void your car seat warranty and may affect your child’s safety in a crash. They have not been crashing tested with every seat on the market. But my baby’s head is falling to the side. This is not a safety issue. What you don’t want is baby’s head to go chin to chest and cut off airway. As long as your seat is properly installed with the correct recline this should not happen. Most manufacturers allow rolled receiving blankets on each side of baby’s head.
http://csftl.org/non-regulated-prod…
http://thecarseatlady.com/dangersof…
Q: Harness or Booster which one and when?
A: Your child may be ready for a booster seat without a harness between 5-7 years old. Your child should meet the weight and height minimums for the booster seat you have or are buying, Be able to sit properly 100% of the time, even while asleep. They should have a safe fit which means the shoulder belt should fit across the torso and the lap belt should sit low and flat on the hips.
http://thecarseatlady.com/when-is-a-child-ready-to-use-a-booster-seat/
Q: Should I take my car seat on the plane or should I check my carseat?
A: It is much safer for a child to be in a carseat on a plane. There is a risk to checking a car seat. If you must check a car seat, put it in its original packaging with padding in the box. and then gate check it. The carseat could have damage that we can’t see.
http://thecarseatlady.com/airplanes/
Leaving on a Jet Plane – The CSFTL Guide to Safe Air Travel with Children
Q: What carseats are the best?
A: Every car seat passes the same safety inspections. Some just have more bells and whistles.
Q: What if my child is over 40lbs? How can I rear face?
A: There are carseats on the market that will RF to 50lbs.
Q: My car seat is expired. Now what?
A: Every car seat and booster seat has a life span and an expiration date. Plastic and Metals break down over time. Technology becomes more advanced. The manufacturers don’t carry the replacement parts after a while. If your seat is expired it is no longer useable. Either save it and use it for a Babies R Us Car Seat Trade In Event, Give it to your kids for for their dolls, drop it off at the police station for them to dispose of or cut the straps, cut the cover and dispose of it but never use it again for your child or any other child.
Q. How do I clean my car seat?
A: Do not EVER submerge the straps in water and NEVER use harsh soaps on your seat or straps. Do NOT use Vinegar on your seat. Some car seat manufacturers allow their cover to be machine washed but be sure to check your manual for specific instructions.
