Well, it has been a little while since my last tip. And, I sure hope that you've been enjoying some safe driving since then. One of the things that I've really enjoyed sharing with my guests at the dealership lately is all about car seats for people who are expecting children. Of course, the Lexus has all the latest safety features of all the cars in the industry. But, car seats for children are a topic all their own. If you are expecting, or know someone who may be, here are some of the most important things you should know.
1. They work. The statistics vary over the years and by the source. But, the data shows that car seats for children save lives. One estimate is that, if you have your child properly fastened, in the correct car seat, which is properly installed in the car, the child's odds of surviving an otherwise fatal accident are in the range of 95% or better.
2. No Seat, No Baby. It sounds a little odd, perhaps. Most hospitals that deliver babies will not even release your baby to you to take home until you show them that you have the correct seat for the baby properly installed in the car that you'll use to drive home. They're not trying to be mean about it. They're simply providing you with one more incentive to get your car seat for your baby in order well in advance of giving birth. (Yes, and, keeping the liabilities under control, too.)
3. Many options but get the right size seat for your baby. There are a lot of great car seats out there for your baby. One very popular variety is convertible, in that it snaps into a base facing rearward until the baby's legs are so long that it's time to turn the seat around so baby can face the front. However, for babies who have a birth weight that's less than 5 pounds, there is a different style infant seat required. For that reason, I would highly recommend, in addition to all the other topics you'll talk about with your doctor, get an idea as early as possible about an expected birth weight. If it looks as though it's likely to be over 5 pounds, great! Go ahead and get the convertible style. Even if the baby does arrive a little lighter than you expect, you'll need that seat a few months down the road anyway. But, if the doctor says that the baby is likely to be very close to 5 pound or less, ask for the infant style at your baby store.
4. Watch out for hand-me-downs. There's one thing for certain - having babies gets to be an expensive proposition. Hand-me-downs from friends or family can be a great way to save money on clothes, and a host of other baby gear. But, not so much with child seats. First of all, you never really know the history of the seat. And, if it's already been in an accident, or damaged in some other way, it will not function properly to protect your child. Secondly, baby seats have a limited life span. In the owner's manual, on the manufacturer's website, and a number of consumer safety sites, you can see what the life span of the seat is. After that point the materials can degrade to the point that the seat is no longer effective in the event of a crash. Finally, over the years, a number of child seats have been subject to recalls. The probability of a child seat being affected by a recall goes up when you don't know where it came from.
5. You can get help for making sure you have the right seat installed properly. In many cities the local police or fire departments will do complimentary safety seat inspections. And, the store where you buy your child seat may have a certified child seat technician who can make sure your new seat is correctly installed as well. So, once you have acquired the new seat, if the store doesn't have a person, call your local police and fire departments. They may do the check for you by appointment, or on a certain schedule. And, you may learn some more great tips for making sure the seat is secure when you reverse the seat or move it from one car to another.
I have to say that working with young growing families is one of the most fun parts of my job. If you have any questions about how the seats work out in a Lexus, or any other question about the cars you'll be driving for your child, or any other car topic, I'd look forward to hear from you.
Best wishes for safe driving.
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