Bonus Chapter No.2

@twentyfortysix was kind enough to add an excellent comment to my last post about child safety seats. She has a 'Child Passenger Safety Restraint Technician' certification. This is what she said:

It's not just a matter of having your child in a car seat:
- the seat must be the appropriate size and type for your child (determined by weight / age)
- your child must be properly secured in the seat (straps should be tightened, free from kinks twists, or damage & connected where specified in the instruction book)
- AND the seat must be correctly installed in your vehicle. Correct installation can vary from vehicle to vehicle especially in older model cars, so if you have one seat you move between vehicles, check the instructions.
A car seat can't do the job it's meant to do (increase your child's chances of survival in the event of an accident) if it's not used as it was intended (and tested)!
Additionally, don't think you're saving money by picking up a used seat at a yard sale. Generally car seats have a life span of around three to five years (check manufacturer info for current seat specs). The seat components begin to lose integrity after a period of time and are not considered to be able to withstand a crash as successfully. Also, if a seat HAS been in a crash, it should be replaced - even if you can't see any damage.
Many, if not most, hospitals now will not allow you to take your baby home if you do not have a car seat.
If you are not sure if your seat is the right one or correctly installed, police stations, hospitals, and baby stores routinely offer free car seat inspections. Inspections run by police stations will sometimes even give you a free replacement if your seat is deemed unsafe or not the right one.

Don't stick your arm out of the window.

I see this a lot, especially in the summer. People seem to think that they must hold the roof up or dangle their arm out of the window to cool it off. The reason this is stupid is if the vehicle is side swiped or hit in the side, good-bye arm.

Maintain your vehicle.

This is paramount to avoiding an accident. You should have your car or truck inspected to make sure its Braking system, steering and tires are in good shape. Some places have mandatory inspection laws, but most do not.

Don't assume.

Don't assume that another driver is going to stop at an intersession; or that he or she will give you the right of way; or that he or she will signal. Remember that the late, grate Benny Hill said that to assume makes an ass out of you and me.

Thanks for reading.