Car Seat Safety 101 (and abbreviation list)

[missym]

Common carseat parts and terms: http://carseatblog.com/11161/a-glossary-of-common-carseat-terms/

Links to Car Seat Safety and Flying with Kids

Car Seat Safety 101
http://windsorpeak.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=130402

Pictures of Spine Development - why rear facing is so important
http://windsorpeak.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=180970

5-Step Test to determine when your child is ready to ride without a booster:
http://carseatblog.com/3966/the-5-step-test/

Why flying with kids in carseats is important
http://www.windsorpeak.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=183475

New FAA rules about car seats on planes - PRINT AND TAKE WITH YOU:
http://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/info/all_infos/media/2009/info09002.pdf

http://www.ntsb.gov/alerts/SA_015.pdf
NTSB statement on flying with children

[Joolsplus2]

Most carseats get recalled for one reason or another (anything from mislabeling to choking hazards to faulty top tether hooks can spark a recall or consumer advisory). Carseat techs and advocates will always tell you to check an older seat for recalls, but rarely give you an easy place to do it!
Here's the most helpful link I've found to start you off:
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/childseat.cfm

And here's another good source of info, including how to report a defect:

http://carseatblog.com/?p=1183

[bubbaray]

Here is the Transport Canada recall page:

http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/safedrivers/childsafety/notices/menu.htm

[Joolsplus2]

Here some that are used frequently:

MA = Britax Marathon
BV = Britax Boulevard
DC = Britax Decathlon, but can also mean Dear Child depending on the context
RA = Britax Roundabout
PW = Britax Parkway
EFTA = Evenflo Triumph Advance
RN = Sunshine Kids Radian
TF = First Years True Fit
GN = Graco Nautilus, sometimes 'Nauti' is used
FR = Britax Frontier
RA50 = Roundabout 50
MR = Graco My Ride 65

HBB = High Back Booster
LBB = Low Back Booster (technically a backless booster)

FF = Forward Facing
RF = Rear Facing




*special thanks to O_mom for compiling this list initially

[Joolsplus2]

Summer's coming, it's time to see what Carseatblog has to say about keeping your car, and your kiddo, cool http://carseatblog.com/?p=2213

[Kymberley]

Thanks for the link! Lots of good ideas that I'm definitely going to try.

[GraceH]

I still say the shiny emergency blankets over those special covers... they're only a few bucks at Walmart or whatnot, plus they're a good thing to have living in your car for the cold months too.
http://www.amazon.com/Emergency-Blanket-Zone%C2%AE-Brand-Reflective/dp/B000Y9IUVI/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1272690510&sr=1-7 (bit more expensive than some, but could be a good free-ship filler)

[ourbabygirl]

Thanks for sharing the link! There are some great tips!

[wigfurs]

FYI, I found the emergency blankets in the dollar bins at Target!

[happymom]

Thanks for the link. I have been making sure to bring a sippy cup with ICE water when we leave the house and that helps for when we first get into the car. However, if we are out for a while, the water isnt too cold for the way home anymore.

I'm thinking that maybe I'll start freezing sippy cups filled half way with water....I used to do that with water bottles when I was a kid. Then you just add cold water before you leave and its still cold a few hours later. Has anyone tried this?

I liked the idea of throwing a towel over the carseat. I would not have thought of that!

Another thing worth mentioning with the summer coming, is taking precautions so you dont G-d forbid leave a child in the car. Was it here that someone recently posted a link about this? After reading that article, I started keeping my purse in the back seat so I always have to open the back door before going into a store. You can never be too careful!

Stay cool everyone!

And thanks again Julie for the link!!

[bubbaray]

http://www.ntsb.gov/alerts/SA_015.pdf

Interesting.

[Joolsplus2]

http://www.car-seat.org/forumdisplay.php?f=61