SUPER LIST OF CAR SEAT & CHILD SAFETY LINKS

Got loads of questions about car seats? They are after all one of the most important pieces of manufactured baby gear that you will buy.

Would you like to know how to begin shopping for the safest car for your children?

Well, I don't have all the answers, but I'm going to direct you to some people that do! Visit some of the sites below to answer your questions about the use of car seats and child safety! The following links are good places to start in finding current information and recommendations about car seat reviews, safety ratings and proper installation and use of your car seat.

NHTSA: Child Car Seat Safety - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration In addition to loads of basic information, this site has a Child Safety Seat Inspection Station Locator where you can search by zip code or state. Really cool, because even the best seat in the world must be installed properly.

buckleupamerica dot org - Buckle Up America
You can sign up to be notified via email for any breaking news on car seat safety issues!

chop dot edu - Partners for Child Passenger Safety: How to Protect Your Child in a Car Crash The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia site has online videos (for that day when you just don't feel like reading or you just need some visuals). The usual car safety tips from infant and toddler and the older child. They touch on the subjects of LATCH and airbag safety as well. Top notch construction of an interactive website.

aap dot org - American Academy of Pediatrics: Moving Kids Safely
A good resource for a wide range of topics including info regarding children with special needs, air and school travel and recalls on safety seats.

carseatsite dot com - Carseatsite has a video on how to install a rear facing seat. This site has a downloadable emergency label for you to fill out and attach to your carseat or stroller. You would provide information there for medical personnel in case your baby is ever separated from you in an accident. WOW, what a foward thinking idea!

fitforakid dot org - Fit For a Kid - Videos for getting a good fit, using the LATCH system and using a tether.

carseat dot org - SafetyBeltSafe USA - Reference materials for teachers, tools for educational programs and a parents corner.

seatcheck dot - SeatCheck.Org - Some brochures and posters offered along with an inspection site search engine and other information.

statefarm dot com - State Farm: Child Passenger Safety
Nothing really different here except the link to a site geared towards information for the Modern Latina Mother.

Whew, that's not an all-inclusive list by a long shot but it will keep you busy for a while!

Again, I'm not giving you legal advice. But, being a staunch believer in over-compliance (hey, nobody cares as much for our kids as we do, right?)I would like to make the suggestion that you use your state's rules and regulations as the very minimum of what you do in the way of car seat safety for your child. What I do personally is take a look to see what guidelines that the most cautious state in our nation has set and use THAT as my minimum standard of safety.

Always use your own judgement as far as what you do in addition to your location's basic requirements.

For more information on car seat safety, baby gear and nursery equipment visit Unique Baby Gear Ideas, Nursery Themes and Decorating Ideas homepage.