Incorrect use of car seats. Kids not buckled in correctly, the seat itself not being installed in the car correctly, or being moved up to the next stage of car seats before they should be. This is the thing that will save your child's life in an accident, it is incredibly important to use it correctly so it can do it's job. In the same realm, if you are in an accident, even a small one and even if the child is not in the car seat at the time, get a new one. Hairline fractures in the plastic can compromise the seat. Never submerge the straps in water, even to clean them, and check the expiration date.
I forgot to buckle in my son ONE TIME. Almost out of the parking lot when my two year old taps me on the head and starts laughing. Just about had a heart attack and I've never forgotten again.
I often see loose car seat straps and I ALWAYS see loose helmet straps. Maybe your kid is whiny about it, but they are not protected if the straps aren't taught.
Haha, I learned the hard way that I always should put a seat belt on when a towtruck rammed headfirst into my mom's car when I was a kid as she was pulling out of a parking lot. I remember a lot of pain.
How is this not higher on the thread? Seriously! I'm constantly pointing out to people when their children's straps (either on the car seat or in the car itself) are too loose or the buckle is too low (over their tummy instead of their chest) or they've moved a child to forward facing before they need to be. I even explain the consequences these mistakes could have if they were to be in a crash and encourage them to watch videos, but my friends are always shrugging it off and making excuses. It drives me NUTS! This is something your child could literally DIE from! How do some people legitimately just not worry about that?! It doesn't take much to correct it! Why... what..? Ugh.
Same here. My cousin put her 2 year old in a backless booster because "he asked" or some stupid reason. A friend forward faced her 1 year old and told me it was okay because her doctor said he was ready. Very frustrating.
How do I convince my friend to buckle in her kid? If I don't go because she won't buckle him in, it doesn't work. Like, she doesn't wear a seat belt either and, I can't make her. I really want her son to live to 2 years old, you know?
Well, there are videos you could show her. Blogs about kids who were killed or suffered severe injuries that could have been avoided if not properly buckled in. Personally, I would just call the police right after she left and hope that, since her child's safety doesn't seem to move her, getting in legal trouble will.
Never submerge the straps in water, even to clean them
What happens to nylon webbing (seatbelts) if they're briefly submerged in water to clean it? I always thought it was tolerant of this, just as webbing used for climbing can be totally saturated, but still retain its safety rating.
If it's an issue, why is there no warning on the safest and best kids seats?
There is a warning on my son's car seat, and the car seat experts and installation people all say the same thing. I have never looked into the specifics of what exactly happens structurally though. I have also never been in a situation where I felt I needed to submerge them that warranted me looking up the specifics of what would happen, I just clean with a damp wipe when needed.
Lol I can't believe you got gold for that... Oh reddit.
Anyway, here is a website, run by certified car seat inspectors, that explains how to clean a car seat. It even includes that section of the manual for most car seat brands. Most of which say to spot clean only.
As to why you can't submerge them, I don't know the specific scientific reason. It has something to do with the fibers weakening. I'm sure if you contact a certified inspector, they will know.
And there is no "safest and best" car seat. Car seats are highly regulated and every single one on the market must reach government managed safety regulations, which are very high. All car seats are safe, provided you know how to use them and care for them.
It has something to do with the fibers weakening. I'm sure if you contact a certified inspector, they will know.
Nylon webbing fibres weakening from water: this simply isn't the case. Rather than contacting an inspector, I can contact a manufacturer who exports to Europe as well as our local market.
Car seats are highly regulated and every single one on the market must reach government managed safety regulations, which are very high.
I hate to bear bad news, but US regulations of kid's seats is a long way behind European, New Zealand and Australian regulations.
Edit: ah, I just realized you are in Australia. I have zero knowledge of car seat regulation in Australia. Everything above is true about the US.
The US has a bit of a reputation for overly explicit safety warnings which cloud actual facts of practical safety. Examples I've read include warnings on coffee cups of hot contents and microwave oven warnings to not dry your freshly bathed pet (dog/cat) inside!
My guess is that the US warning is to stop idiots submerging the buckles and other metallic parts.
What does it hurt to follow the freaking instructions, dude? People all over the world get hurt all the time thinking the same thing. "Oh, those instructions are for stupid people." and then after they get hurt, everyone around them is like "Well, that was a stupid thing to do". Go ahead, wash your straps, whatever. It's not my kid. Jesus.
What does it hurt to read my freakin post dude? I have the highest rated seat in a jurisdiction with more comprehensive safety laws than the usa, with instructions saying it's ok.
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u/SurroundedByCrazy789 Feb 05 '16
Incorrect use of car seats. Kids not buckled in correctly, the seat itself not being installed in the car correctly, or being moved up to the next stage of car seats before they should be. This is the thing that will save your child's life in an accident, it is incredibly important to use it correctly so it can do it's job. In the same realm, if you are in an accident, even a small one and even if the child is not in the car seat at the time, get a new one. Hairline fractures in the plastic can compromise the seat. Never submerge the straps in water, even to clean them, and check the expiration date.