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- Remember that infant carriers are not the same as a child safety seat. Infant carriers are not designed to protect children in a car accident. There is no way for a seat belt to keep an infant carrier in place. If you cannot afford a seat you can contact your local fire department. They help people get car seats and they help people install them correctly. You can also find some inexpensive car seats in children’s consignment shops.
- A child is not safe in anyone’s lap. Many parents are tempted to just hold their child or to let them out of the seat if they are crying. It is understandable to want to, but it is deadly to actually do it. If your vehicle gets in a car accident the force of the crash will turn your child into a projectile. There is really no way to hold on to the child. If your child is too upset in the car seat try to pull over in safe place. Bringing toys along may also help.
- All children should be buckled up. Children of every age should be buckled up. As with infants, unbuckled children (and adults) turn into projectiles in a car accident.
- Children should not be near airbags in the front seat. A released airbag can severely injure or kill children. Actually, airbags are very dangerous for anyone under 5’4.
- Bring toys may help your child tolerate the car ride, but it is best to bring toys that are soft and not really hard. If you should get in an accident hard toys can turn into projectiles.
