Having and/or raising a child is one of the most gratifying (and exhausting) experiences a human being can have. If you’ve recently had a new addition to your family, or already have smaller children, then it’s important to know how to safely transport them in a car. Children’s safety requirements in the car change as they get older and grow, so it’s important to remember that what’s true for them today might not be true tomorrow. As a caretaker, it’s up to you to stay abreast of standards. Keeping child passengers safe in Corydon, IN is really just a matter of research and common sense in observing best practices.
Babies
If you’ve ever driven home from the hospital with a baby strapped in the back, you probably felt your driving habits change almost overnight. You’re probably far more cautious now, which is one of the most obvious ways for how you can keep child passengers safe in Corydon, IN, but there are other standards you need to observe as well. Children up to a year old should always be in rear-facing seats, for example. All infant-specific car seats will only allow for that, but if you have a convertible car seat, it’s adjustable as the child grows and should still be set to be rear-facing for at least the first year of life, if not longer.
Toddlers
As your child ages, you want to keep them in a rear-facing seat for as long as possible. Proper car seat protocol is vital to keeping child passengers safe in Corydon, IN, and smaller children will always benefit from being in seats oriented like this until they reach the manufacturer’s weight and/or height limit. Once your child hits this size, he or she will then be ready for a forward-facing seat with a harness and tether. All 50 U.S. states mandate that children be restrained while in cars, so be sure you’re selecting a seat that’s right for your kid’s size and age.
Older children
Starting at around the age of four, a child will be ready for a more advanced front-facing seat. If you’re wondering if your child is in a properly fitted seat, the manufacturer’s manuals and standards will once again be your best resource. Once a kid outgrows this type of car seat, it’s time to migrate to a booster seat (usually around seven years old or so).
After a booster seat comes the big step: the actual seat of the car! Make sure at this stage that all belts are snug and secure—shoulder belts should be across the shoulder/chest, not the neck, and the lap belt should be on the upper thighs rather than the stomach.
When it comes to keeping child passengers safe in Corydon, IN, the trick is to always follow manufacturer recommendations on car seats and to stay up to date on changing rules and regulations. Another great way to help ensure their safety is to make certain that your auto insurance is always up to date, and that you regularly review policies with your agent to make sure you’re still on the right track. Call our team at the Harvey Sarles Insurance Agency today to set up an appointment!