Car Seat Safety

This is one area where I am paranoid. Granted, I would rather be paranoid than nonchalant!

Please take 5 minutes today to check the following:

-shoulder straps are just below the shoulder (they come up and over)
-the car seat straps are snug enough that only one of your fingers can fit between car seat and baby
-put the handle down on an infant carrier when driving-in an accident this can injure or kill a baby
-only use until recommended weight limit. Baby's legs should not be smooshed into the seat when rear facing. And a baby should not be in a booster seat.
-how old is your car seat? They expire after 5 years. It may not seem like a big deal to use the one that your other kids used, but they may not be up to date with current safety standards.
-if your car seat requires a base (like Evenflo brand does) DO NOT drive without one.
-don't buckle your kids into their seats with a coat or bunting on. They can slide right out of their seat in an accident.
-PLEASE make sure the car seat is buckled into the car so tight that it can only move an inch at the very most. I get in the car seat and kneel on it with all of my weight to tighten it in there with the LATCH system. It's also a good idea to find someone that is car seat certified (call your local fire department or police station to find someone) to put the car seat in for you the first time. They can demonstrate the best way to do it and you will know how from then on.
-don't buy a secondhand car seat if you can avoid it. If you do buy one, make sure you have a clear idea of the car seats history (recalls, accidents, manufacturers date, etc.)

I cringe when I see car seats flopping around or kids not buckled. These safety checks take only a few moments and could save your child's life!

Okay, I'm off my soapbox now! :)

21 Safest Booster Seats

My husband showed me this clip on the Today Show, so I thought I'd share. Read through it, watch the video. It's pretty interesting and I think it's something all parents need to be aware of.

The 21 Safest booster seats are:

•Britax Frontier 85 (combination highback); about $210
•Chicco Keyfit Strada (dual highback); about $170
•Clek Oobr (dual highback); about $275
•Cosco Juvenile Pronto (dual highback); about $30
•Cybex Solution X-Fix (highback); about $200
•Eddie Bauer Auto Booster (dual highback); about $80
•Evenflo Big Kid Amp (backless); about $25
•Evenflo Maestro (combination highback); about $60
•Graco TurboBooster Crawford (dual highback), about $45
•Harmony Baby Armor (dual highback); about $115
•Harmony Dreamtime (dual backless);about $50
•Harmony Dreamtime (dual highback); about $50
•Harmony Secure Comfort Deluxe (backless); about $20
•Harmony Youth Booster Seat (backless); about $30
•Maxi-Cosi Rodi XR (dual highback); about $120
•Recaro ProBOOSTER (highback); about $130
•Recaro ProSPORT (combination highback); about $280
•Recaro Vivo (highback); about $90
•Recaro Young Sport (combination highback); about $250
•Safety 1st Boost Air Protect (dual highback); about $240
•The First Years Pathway B570 (highback); about $75

If yours isn't on the list, that's fine. The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety posted a list of Best Bets, Good Bets, Not Recommended, and Other on their website, here.

Just be sure that while your child is in his/her booster seat, the seat belt goes across their thighs, NOT their tummy, and the strap crosses their shoulder at the joint. Too high and it's irritating to the child, who eventually wiggles out of it. Too low and the child could fly out in the case of a car accident.