One of the very first things new parents have to do is buy and install a car seat. This can be a daunting task, but it is probably one of the most important you can do as a parent.
If you needed another reminder of why properly installing and using a car seat for your baby is so important, then you'll want to read this story of how a mom's keen eye saved her son's life.
While there are some variations between states regarding how long to keep your child rear-facing and specific height and weight requirements, all parents need to have one if you plan on driving with your baby.
If you ever need help installing a car seat, you can take it to a fire station or to a certified car seat safety expert. It only takes a few minutes to get it checked!
For my son, we had the nurse at the hospital show us how to tighten the car seat straps and where the harness should sit on his chest.
There's a lot that goes into making sure you're using these things properly.
This is Rebecca Tafaro Boyer with her baby boy, William, and husband, David.
I get it. The first day back at work from your baby is super stressful and every mom wants to make sure that their child is okay.
It didn't take long for Rebecca to notice that William wasn't properly strapped into his car seat.
"My nagging wife reply was to correct William’s position in the car seat - the straps were too loose and the chest clip was way too low," she wrote on Facebook.
Their car collided with an SUV that pulled out into oncoming traffic. David and William were okay.
Sometimes babies can sleep through anything, even car accidents apparently. I'm glad to hear no one was seriously hurt!
"I am so thankful that my husband took the extra one minute that was necessary to put William in his car seat safely. I can’t even begin to imagine how different the outcome could have been," Rebecca wrote.
The first is a reminder to throw out any car seats that have been in a crash.
Even if it looks completely fine, there could be undetectable damage that would make it less effective in a crash.
Thank you for all the information and reminders, Rebecca.
Since sharing her story in July 2018, Rebecca's Facebook post has been shared 40,000 times.
It's great that social media has made it possible for parents to share important messages like this one! Rebecca has probably saved lives with this post.
Woah. If you have any doubts about the installation of your child's car seat, these stories should have you booking an appointment to get your car seat checked ASAP.
Honestly, when it comes to safety, all parents are justified in their nagging. Parents know what's best for their children!
I'm so glad little William is okay and will grow up learning the story of how his mom's nagging saved his life.
