Properly Installing a Car Seat for Babies or Toddlers It can be a more complicated task than it seems. Although the majority of parents believe they have followed all the steps, the figures show a worrying reality: 3 out of 4 car seats are installed incorrectly.
An error in harness placement or adjustment can make all the difference in the event of a crash, making this issue a priority for any family with young children.
Aware of this need, organizations dedicated to child safety have launched a free virtual service that allows parents and caregivers to connect from home with specially trained car seat experts. The platform, available at flexible times, seeks to eliminate barriers, offer comfort and ensure that each child travels adequately protected.
A reliable companion for new parents
For many parents awaiting the arrival of a baby, like Ana, this option represents an invaluable source of peace of mind. She is pregnant and will give birth in the spring. Despite having researched car seats, he admits that installing one correctly can be a real challenge.
“I know how difficult it can be to install a car seat, but I also understand how important it is to know how to do it correctly,” explains Ana. “So, using this virtual service with my cell phone, having a safety expert help me from my home, is a tremendous service. And it gives me great peace of mind.”
Their testimony reflects the experience of thousands of parents who, even with the best of intentions, They feel uncertainty when adjusting a chair, choosing the right model or interpreting the manufacturer’s instructions.
An initiative supported by child safety experts
Free inspection of car seats is possible thanks to a grant de Buckle Up for Lifeawarded to the National Security Council (NSC, by its acronym in English). This support allows families throughout the country to have access to professional advice at no cost.
“We all know installing a car seat can be difficult,” says Gloria Del Castillo, Senior Community Engagement Specialist at Buckle Up for Life. “So, it’s important for parents and caregivers not to be afraid to ask for help. But often, they don’t know where to go to get that help. With this program, parents can meet with experts at their convenience and make sure their children’s seats are installed correctly.”
Buckle Up for Life is a renowned child safety education program created by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Toyota. Their experts work directly with communities across the country, checking thousands of chairs a year, and dedicating their efforts to reducing the statistics of preventable injuries and deaths.
Car crashes remain a leading cause of unintentional child deaths in the United States, which makes it essential that children travel protected by an adequate system.
Technology at the service of family safety
The NSC virtual platform allows a certified technician to observe in real time how the seat is installed in the user’s vehicle. Through a video call, the expert can guide you step by step, point out common errors, recommend necessary adjustments and confirm whether the seat meets current safety standards.
“No matter where you live and regardless of your schedule, this platform allows you to meet with an expert, have your car seat looked at, and get guidance on proper installation,” explains Rosana Rivera, NSC Child Passenger Safety Technician. “After all, all parents deserve to have the confidence of knowing they are doing everything they can to help keep their children safe.”
The ability to access this type of advice without having to travel to a specialized center is especially valuable for families with complicated schedules, parents who work at night, or caregivers who rely on public transportation.
How does the virtual review work?
The process is simple and is designed for any level of knowledge:
1) Programming: Those interested can enter the portal and choose the schedule that best suits their daily activities.
2) Video call: In the session, a certified technician visually checks the chair installation.
3) Recommendations: The expert provides clear instructions to correct errors or confirm that the seat is properly secured.
4) Tracking: If the user has additional questions, they can request a review again on another date.
The service is completely free, confidential and available in both English and Spanish, which facilitates access for diverse communities.
A key tool to reduce risks
Specialists agree that a properly installed safety seat significantly reduces the risk of serious injuries in children. Despite this, The most common errors include the use of harnesses that are too loose, the lack of adequate anchors, the poor orientation of the seat and the selection of inappropriate models for the age, weight or height of the child.
With this platform, parents get an accurate and professional verification without pressure or judgment, just for the purpose of protecting their children.
Anyone interested in scheduling a virtual car seat check can visit:
safety-connection.org/Spanish/.
With tools like this, every family can have confidence that their children are traveling as safely as possible, from anywhere, at any time.
Keep reading:
* Child Passenger Safety Week: how to prevent road tragedies
* They investigate child car seats because they are unsafe
* New “Seating Law”: Michigan reinforces child safety in vehicles with new regulations