How Long Should My Child Avoid the Front Seat?

The best way to keep your school-age child safe in the car is by using a booster seat and seat belts. But at some point they will outgrow this special seat and be able to sit in a regular car seat. This will be a growth milestone for your child — and a safety nightmare for you.

And that begs the next question: how long should my child avoid the front seat?

The answer depends on your child’s size and age, as well as the kind of vehicle you drive. Florida law requires children under 5 years old to be properly restrained no matter where they are seated in the vehicle. Children through age 3 must be secured in a separate carrier, such as a booster seat, or in a vehicle manufacturer’s integrated child safety seat. For children ages 4-5, a separate carrier, an integrated child safety seat or a safety belt may be used. If a safety belt does not fit the child correctly, a booster seat should be used to correctly position the lap and shoulder belts once they outgrow forward facing child safety seats — generally at about 40 pounds and 4 years old.

In general, children aren’t able to make the switch until they’re at least 4 feet 9 inches tall and can pass a five-step test, typically between ages 8 and 10, which considers the following:

1. Whether the child sits all the way back against the car’s seat
2. Whether the child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the seat
3. Whether the lap belt rests naturally below the child’s belly
4. Whether the shoulder belt is centered across the child’s shoulder and chest
5. Whether the child can stay seated like this for the whole trip

A booster seat is put in place in addition to seat belts to protect a child. In the event of a car accident in Florida or an automobile collision a seat belt that does not properly fit the child can actually cause more harm if the child is riding in a regular seat, without the booster.

Children may protest the booster, feeling they are big enough to ride as the adults do. Talk to your child about how special he/she is to have a special seat and find a booster seat that is as comfortable for them as possible. If you have any questions, consult with a Fort Lauderdale attorney experienced in Florida auto accident and personal injury laws.

And always remember: Never move your child to a regular car seat until their physical growth makes it a safe scenario.

Baby Product Recalls: Staying Informed

With new items appearing daily on the market, how does one keep up with old ones, as well as new ones? Below are some tips to help you keep your children safe by staying informed with product recalls.

• News Feed Alerts: Set up your email and RSS feed to alert you of all baby recalls
• Google it: Checking for a specific product? Google will bring up everything related
• Kindle it: Subscribe for your kindle but check to see who charges and who does not
• Utilize Facebook & Twitter: ‘Like’ and ‘Follow’ baby recall bloggers and posters
• Smartphone Applications: There are now recall apps for iPhone, Android and Facebook

Designed and developed by parents of young children, Recalls Plus will monitor recalls on your children’s items. You can browse the nationwide list of recalls reported by top government agencies and it will also send alerts when a related recall relates to one of the products or food allergens you have listed. Features of the Recalls Plus app include Checklists by Age, Add Any Product and Track Foods.

Websites & Blogs: Add yourself to specific newsletters from product recall sites.

Recalls From The U.S. Government:

https://www.recalls.gov
https://www.usa.gov/mobile-apps
https://www.fda.gov
https://www.cpsc.gov
https://www.usrecallnews.com

Mommy Bloggers and Parenting Websites:

www.parenting.com
http://www.babyzone.com
https://www.parents.com
www.parentsociety.com
https://www.socialmoms.com
https://www.babycenter.com/
https://www.mommyblogexpert.com

How To Keep Your Baby Safe

A parent’s main concern is and always should be keeping their baby safe. It is frightening to discover that an item purchased for your baby turns out to be a defective or dangerous product that has been recalled.

The last way anyone wants to find out about a product recall is because of an accident — so staying informed and up-to-date on recalls is very important for parents.

The first way to stay informed is to immediately send in the warranty and product information card that is included in the package of all new items you purchase. If the card is filled out and the product is recalled, you will immediately be contacted by the manufacturer. If you do not fill out this information, there is no way for the manufacturer to know that you own the item. The second way to make sure you stay current with baby product recalls is by checking recall notices and online information.

Did you know that most stores that sell baby supplies post product recalls on their websites?

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is a government agency that lists product recalls. On the USCPSC website you may search product recalls as well as report unsafe products.

If your child has been injured by a product immediately contact a Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney. Claims have to be filed in a very specific manner and filing them on your own may result in a dropped claim. Your attorney will make sure everything is filed properly. There are also legal time restraints as to how long you have before filing a claim, so don’t wait. Take immediate action.

It is crucial that you not only protect your legal rights, but, protect the rights and health of your child. Don’t waste time. Knowing and responding to a product recall can save the life of your child or another child. Safety first.

• http://themomblogs.com
• https://www.theonlinemom.com
• http://www.bloggymoms.com
• http://momaudience.com
• http://www.mommygoggles.com
• http://www.circleofmoms.com