Child passenger safety information
Being pregnant with my eldest daughter, I had no idea that child passenger safety was so complex!
- Did you know that not all shells or even children's benches fit in all vehicles?
- Did you know that there is a serious gap between laws and good practices in terms of child passenger safety, which can have a significant impact in the event of an accident?
- Did you know that there are many accessories that are prohibited by the manufacturers of children's benches such as toys, angel nests, winter coats, etc.?
- Did you know that objects lying on the bench can become dangerous projectiles in case of impact?
At the time, I would have answered no to each and every one of these questions!!! Fortunately for my little family, I quickly discovered the world of CPSTs (Child Passenger Safety Technicians) and what I learned completely changed my vision of my role as a parent in terms of car safety!
What I remember and wish to share with as many parents and future parents as possible is :
- A meeting (free of charge) with a TSEP is a MUST if you want to drive with peace of mind because there's nothing more important than the safety of your loved ones! Also, let's face it, reading bench and car manuals is not that easy and digestible... I learn better by talking and asking questions! To make an appointment with a TSEP in your area, it's this way!
- The backward orientation is definitely safer than the forward orientation. Feet touching the backrest is not dangerous and you know a nice solution to the little inconvenience of dirty feet! A short text summarized here!
- Once our bench is well installed, we also have to install the harness well! As a picture is worth a thousand words, check it out here and here!
- Wait until you reach the limits of your bench before moving on to the next step which will inevitably be less safe!
- Use the "pinch test" technique to check if your harness fits properly and if your coat fits securely. A publication that explains it perfectly with a great visual.
Obviously, I'm not personally a TSEP and I have way too much admiration for their work (which literally saves lives!!) to improvise tips for child passenger safety, but I'm happy to share with you the Facebook pages and groups that taught me everything and that are full of relevant information on the subject!