[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.zimmetzimmet.com\/blog\/ormond-car-accident-lawyer-10-common-child-car-seat-mistakes\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.zimmetzimmet.com\/blog\/ormond-car-accident-lawyer-10-common-child-car-seat-mistakes\/","headline":"10 Common Child Car Seat Mistakes","name":"10 Common Child Car Seat Mistakes","description":"Car seat safety is crucial for protecting a child during travel, but knowing how to safely install a car seat and buckle up a child as he or she grows can be difficult. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Here are 10 common mistakes parents often make when it comes to car seat...","datePublished":"2014-08-05","dateModified":"2025-01-06","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.zimmetzimmet.com\/blog\/author\/zimmet\/#Person","name":"Zimmet & Zimmet","url":"https:\/\/www.zimmetzimmet.com\/blog\/author\/zimmet\/","identifier":8,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3010bdac5ced5112b2840e84f5233c0b7d763a33cb3d5b6de07a5a4b44884d69?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3010bdac5ced5112b2840e84f5233c0b7d763a33cb3d5b6de07a5a4b44884d69?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Zimmet & Zimmet","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.zimmetzimmet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/footer-logo-blue.svg","url":"https:\/\/www.zimmetzimmet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/footer-logo-blue.svg","width":0,"height":0}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.zimmetzimmet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/ZimmetZimmet-the-human-element-is-our-priority.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.zimmetzimmet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/ZimmetZimmet-the-human-element-is-our-priority.jpg","width":614,"height":575},"url":"https:\/\/www.zimmetzimmet.com\/blog\/ormond-car-accident-lawyer-10-common-child-car-seat-mistakes\/","about":["Child Injuries"],"wordCount":835,"articleBody":"Car seat safety is crucial for protecting a child during travel, but knowing how to safely install a car seat and buckle up a child as he or she grows can be difficult. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.Here are 10 common mistakes parents often make when it comes to car seat safety \u2014 and how to avoid themGetting a used car seat without researching its history.\u00a0If you\u2019re considering a used car seat for your child, make sure the car seat:Comes with instructions and a label showing manufacture date and model numberHasn\u2019t been recalledIsn\u2019t more than 6 years oldHas no visible damage or missing partsHas never been in a moderate or severe crashIf you don\u2019t know the car seat\u2019s history, don\u2019t use it.Placing the car seat in the wrong spot.\u00a0The safest place for your child\u2019s car seat is in the middle of the back seat, away from active air bags. If it\u2019s necessary for a child to travel in a vehicle with only one row of seats, deactivate the front air bags or install a power switch to prevent air bag deployment during a crash.Using the car seat as a replacement crib.\u00a0Although it\u2019s essential to buckle your child into a car seat during travel, don\u2019t let your child sleep or relax in the car seat outside of the car for long periods. A 2009 study showed that sitting upright in a car seat might compress a newborn\u2019s chest leading to lower levels of oxygen, the development of a flat spot on the back of baby\u2019s head. and worsen gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)\u2014a chronic digestive disease.Incorrectly buckling up your child.\u00a0Before you install the seat, read the manufacturer\u2019s instructions and the section on car seats in the vehicle\u2019s owners\u2019 manual. Make sure the seat is tightly secured\u2014allowing no more than one inch of movement from side to side or front to back when grasped at the bottom near the attachment points\u2014and facing the correct direction.Reclining your child at the incorrect angle.\u00a0In the rear-facing position, recline the car seat according to the manufacturer\u2019s instructions so that your child\u2019s head doesn\u2019t flop forward. Many seats include angle indicators or adjusters. You can also place a tightly rolled towel under the seat\u2019s front edge to achieve the right angle. To prevent slouching, place tightly rolled baby blankets alongside your newborn.Moving to a forward-facing car seat too soon.\u00a0Riding rear facing is\u00a0recommended until a child\u00a0reaches age 2 or the highest weight \u2014 typically at least 35 pounds \u2014 or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer. You can start with a convertible seat, which can be used rear facing or forward facing and typically has a higher rear-facing weight and height limit than an infant-only seat, or switch from an infant-only seat to the convertible variety as the baby grows.Dressing your child in bulky outerwear.\u00a0Harness straps might not provide enough protection over a baby\u2019s bulky outerwear. If it\u2019s cold, dress your baby in a lightweight jacket and hat. Buckle the harness snugly and then tuck a blanket around your baby for warmth. Save the bulky outerwear for outdoors.Moving to a booster seat too soon.\u00a0Older children need booster seats to help an adult safety belt fit correctly. You can switch from a car seat to a booster seat when your child has topped the highest weight and height allowed by the car seat manufacturer\u2014typically 40 to 80 pounds.Incorrectly using a booster seat.\u00a0Booster seats must be used with a lap and shoulder belt\u2014never a lap-only belt. Make sure the lap belt lies low and snug across your child\u2019s upper thighs and that the shoulder belt crosses the middle of your child\u2019s chest and shoulder.Using the vehicle seat belt too soon.\u00a0Most kids can safely use an adult seat belt sometime between ages 8 and 12. Here\u2019s how you\u2019ll know that a child is ready:The child reaches a height of 4 feet 9 inches.The child sits against the back of the seat with his or her knees bent comfortably at the edge of the seat.The lap belt rests flat and snugly across child\u2019s upper thighs, and the shoulder belt rests on the middle of your child\u2019s shoulder and chest \u2014 not on the neck or face.If you have questions about child passenger safety laws or need help installing a car seat, participate in a local car seat clinic or inspection event. You can also check with the\u00a0National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for help finding a car seat inspection station, or contact Zimmet and Zimmet today at 386-255-6400.Have you been injured in an accident or fall? Do You have question and want to know your legal options. Call 386-255-6400 for a free consultation and remember there is NO FEE unless WE Win."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.zimmetzimmet.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"10 Common Child Car Seat Mistakes","item":"https:\/\/www.zimmetzimmet.com\/blog\/ormond-car-accident-lawyer-10-common-child-car-seat-mistakes\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]