4 Out of 5 Car Seats Are Installed Incorrectly
What first-time (& second-time) parents need to know for a correct
installation
PITTSBURGH–(BUSINESS WIRE)–September 18-24 marks Child Passenger Safety Week – a week dedicated to
educating parents about the importance of seat belts and car seats. One
of the biggest issues that continue to plague parents is how difficult
it is to correctly install a car seat. In fact, 4 out of 5 car seats are
installed incorrectly, and according to an Oregon
Health and Science University Hospital study, car seat misuse is
even higher among new parents – 93% of families taking a newborn home
from the hospital made at least one critical error when installing their
car seat.
“Being a new parent is stressful and exhausting. There is a ton of stuff
to learn and to think about,” explains Dr. Benjamin Hoffman, a
pediatrician and nationally recognized expert in child passenger safety.
“We know that car seats are hard to use in the best of circumstances,
but when you add the stress of leaving the hospital, you increase the
risk of making a serious installation error.”
Tips for a Correct Installation
According to Dr. Hoffman, there are three categories of errors parents
need to be aware of and take into consideration when installing a car
seat:
-
Selection errors – Make sure that you pick the right car seat
for your child and your needs. You want to select a seat that fits the
child (ensuring your child is the correct weight and height for the
seat); fits the vehicle; and one that a caregiver can use correctly
each and every time. -
Positioning errors – Once you’ve selected the right car seat,
make sure that you position your child correctly in the car seat. Grab
your car seat manual to ensure you have the harness through the right
harness slots. Make sure that the chest clip is placed at armpit level
and then pinch the strap at your child’s shoulder. If you’re not able
to pinch any excess slack, you’ve secured the harness correctly. -
Installation errors – Make sure to follow the instructions in
your manual when installing the car seat. You want to make sure you
get a tight fit – with either a LATCH installation or seat belt
installation. You’ll also want to make sure that you use the correct
lower anchors to install the car seat. To ensure a correct
installation, it’s a good idea to have your car seat checked by a
certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST), like a police
officer or fireman.
“We’ve found that families who worked with a certified CPST prior to
delivery were 10 times less likely to make mistakes,” says Hoffman.
“However, 77% of those families still made serious errors, so it is not
enough. Practicing with the car seat before the baby is born, learning
how to install and use it correctly, and then working with a certified
CPST is best.”
Leveraging Technology
A new option that is now available to new parents is the 4moms
self-installing car seat. Through robotics technology and advanced
sensors, the 4moms self-installing car seat installs itself correctly by
automatically leveling and tensioning, verifies the installation before
every ride and then continuously monitors its status during use, giving
parents complete peace of mind every time they put their baby in the
car. The seat guides parents through the installation process
with visual and voice commands on both the car seat base and in the
4moms app, which is required for auto installation.
The 4moms self-installing car seat is available at buybuyBABY,
Amazon, select specialty stores and at 4moms.com, with a retail price of
$499.99.
For more information, visit www.4moms.com/press/carseat.
About 4moms
4moms® is a consumer technology company that leverages robotics,
technology and innovative design to disrupt and redefine existing
industries. The company has transformed the baby gear industry with
products like the 4moms origami®, the world’s only power-folding
stroller; the 4moms mamaRoo® infant seat that replicates the bouncing
and swaying motions parents make when soothing their babies; and the
4moms breeze® playard that opens or closes in one simple step. The
company, founded in 2005 and based in Pittsburgh, Penn., has twice been
honored with the prestigious Red Dot award for outstanding product
design, and was recognized, in each of the last five years, by Inc.
magazine as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the United
States. 4moms products are currently sold at buybuyBABY, Target, Amazon,
and Babies R Us, and are available in a number of countries around the
world. For more information, visit http://www.4moms.com.
Contacts
4moms
Amie Ley
aley@4moms.com
