See, I’ve never actually used a child safety seat, but if there’s one thing I can tell from all the various reports I’ve read about them, they’re unnecessarily complex.  Either they are, or the laws governing them are, because people have to go to preposterous lengths to make sure they’re installed “correctly”.

Not long ago I described how the Pennsylvania State Police were running a child seat inspection campaign, and now I hear that Washington, D.C., will be running a similar campaign.  Here’s what one of the attendees had to say:

“I’m almost flabbergasted,” the D.C. resident said Tuesday as she stared at the newly installed seats. “After having five kids, I’ve been through the process of getting a seat and having it inspected. But I didn’t know a lot of the things I learned today.”

Five kids.  Five kids and five installed car seats later, and suddenly she’s learned more in one day than several years of actual experience.  There’s no other explanation–these seats must be ridiculously overcomplicated.

There’s got to be a way to make these things simpler and easy for already badly overworked parents to cope with.

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As far as Minnesota is concerned, people who are embarking on going places this 4th of July should be fully aware of the modified laws set by the authorities. Technically, it is all about buckling up for safety, especially if you plan to bring toddlers with you on your trip. Normally, this would be automatic since it has been tradition for most families to bring everyone up to the youngest member.

The new Minnesota state law requires child passengers under the age of 8 or shorter than 4 foot 9 inches tall to be fastened in a child safety seat or booster seat. However, experts recommend parents follow the height requirements rather than the age requirement to better ensure child safety. To keep drivers aware of details relating to this new law, the website CarWizard.com has compiled important facts.

This law was passed and has gone into effect because poor fitting seatbelts can contribute to serious injury or death in children. This can include ejection, internal decapitation and serious abdominal damage. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the leading cause of death for children ages 4 to 16 are motor vehicle accidents. The same institution recommends a booster seat that raises children until they are between the ages of 8 to 12 and are at least 4 foot 9 inches tall.

(Source) Press

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People who have expired child car safety seats can now have a great option to get rid of them as they can drop them off at Shade Tree Garage or Marty’s Reliable Cycle. A special day has been designated in Morristown, NJ to kick-off the State’s first recycling effort for expired infant and child safety seats.

On Saturday, May 9, 2008, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, residents can go to the Morristown Town Hall Parking lot where they will learn how to take apart an infant/child safety seat and prepare it for recycling. After May 9th, the town will begin collecting properly disassembled car seats at curbside. Town residents will also be able to drop their disassembled car seats off at Shade Tree Garage and Marty’s Reliable Cycle in Morristown.

Most people are unaware that car safety seats expire five to six years after production. The plastics used in these seats deteriorate over time from sun and heat exposure and the seats become unsafe for use. Also, if a car seat has been in an accident, its protective qualities may be further compromised. Up to this point in time, owners have had two choices for disposing of the used or expired seats – giving them away or throwing them in the trash.

Charities and consignment or thrift shops have no way of screening the seats to know if they have expired or been in an accident and anyone picking up a car seat that has been placed at the curb for disposal are unknowingly putting their child at risk.

(Source) Press

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