In many ways, I am clinging on to my children’s childhoods. I know how fleeting this time is and I am grateful for every snuggle, every kiss, and every moment when they reach up and hold my hand. I get teary-eyed just thinking about bedtime stories and visits from Santa. But before we get too nostalgic, I must confess there are some childhood irritations that I wish I could push the fast-forward button and move beyond.

Ranked right up there with dirty diapers and loose teeth are car seats. I feel like a contortionist trying to wrestle the cumbersome chair into place – all for the sake of safety! Don’t get me wrong, a dislocated back is a small price to pay to keep my little one secure. In fact, I am glad that it has become such a social faux-pas to be caught without your kid strapped in a car seat. To be honest, I would rather be caught skinny dipping versus facing a group of PTA moms without a car seat in the carpool line.

Still, the world of car seats is confusing – not only the selection, but also the installation. Sharon Evans is a certified car seat technician for Cook Childrens Medical Center in Fort Worth. Sharon is a serious type – which, when it comes to car seat safety seems appropriate. She is a warrior on the subject devoting her life to fighting the disturbing statistic that most childhood deaths are the result of car accidents. To put it in perspective, Evans states that “5 – 7 children are killed per day as a result of car accidents.” Sadly, many of these deaths could be avoided had the car seat been properly used. So for those of you in the market for a car seat, or for those of us who have been living with car seats and need a refresher course – pay attention. It really is a matter of life or death.

Purchasing the Car Seat

New parents can become easily overwhelmed when purchasing a car seat. They don’t want to compromise on safety and find it difficult to determine which is the best-of-the-best of the hundreds of choices available. Sharon Evans says, “There really isn’t a particular brand that stands above the rest. All of them meet the federal safety standards. However, some of the new, more expensive models have more bells and whistles making the seat easier to use and install.” As for me, I am willing to pay almost anything to make the daily car seat wrestling match a little easier. However, parents need to be sure that the model they select has a 5-point harness system. Evans states that “the 5-point harness is far safer than the overhead shield (a padded like trey that swings over the child) or the t-shield (a t-shaped shield that is attached to the shoulder straps).” According to Evans, the overhead shield and the t-shield can cause internal injuries if the force of the crash causes the child to slam into these harness systems.

Parents should also not be tempted to accept the used car seat offered by a well-intentioned relative or friend. Just like buying a used car, you never really know what kind of wear-and-tear has occurred. If you’re going to skimp on anything, pass on the Kate Spade diaper bag and invest in a safe car seat.

Installing the Car Seat

Reading a car seat manual is kind of like reading a rocket science handbook in Chinese. It’s confusing to say the least. However, there are two main things to remember when installing your car seat.

1. The seat must be securely fastened into your vehicle. You should not be able to move it an inch up or down or side to side.
2. Your child should be securely buckled into the car seat. No more than two fingers should fit between the harness system and your child.

However, even if you have followed all of the instructions, Evans states “that 99- 100% of the people who have their car seat checked by a certified technician have not installed it correctly.” With that said, I think it is imperative that parents have their car seats checked by a professional. Parents can locate professional car seat technicians through their pediatrician or local hospital.

New Model Cars

Some of the newer cars on the road have car seats built-in. According to Evans, “this is a wonderful option for parents. However, even with the convenience of an in-car model, most parents are not securing their children properly.” Checking with a professional offers peace of mind and added safety. In addition, Evans cautions against placing a child in the front passenger seat even if the airbag can be turned off. “The front passenger seat has the highest fatality rate of any place in the car.” Children should avoid sitting there at all cost.

Manufacturers are continuing to try and find new ways of making car seats safer and more convenient. In fact, Simon Cowell, of American Idol fame, selected a car seat invention as the winner of ABC’s new show “American Invention”. This model spins in a collision, lowering the impact of a crash on an infant. “It’s gonna take a long time to get it manufactured because you’ve got to go through obviously, tons of safety checks and the government gets involved, but it will go on the market,” Cowell said. “And I believe when it goes on the market it will save thousand and thousands of lives. So it’s fantastic! (Simon Cowell searches for the next great invention. ABC News, June 6, 2007 (accessed June 12, 2007). abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3249328&page=1).

Unfortunately for me, by the time they invent a safer and more convenient car seat, I will be sending my boys off to college. In the mean time, I will continue to win the Car Seat Wrestling Match and make sure my kids are secure, even if I get a little banged up in the process.