The Allstate Blog » Car Seats http://blog.allstate.com Expert tips and fun facts on protecting your car, home, motorcycle or RV from Allstate Auto Insurance Fri, 17 May 2013 18:09:51 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 2012 Family-Car Resolutions http://blog.allstate.com/2012-family-car-resolutions/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=2012-family-car-resolutions http://blog.allstate.com/2012-family-car-resolutions/#comments Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:06:25 +0000 Kristin Varela, Cars.com http://community.allstate.com/community/allstate_blog/blog/2012/01/12/2012-family-car-resolutions Family car

Despite our best intentions as parents, sometimes we fall a little short. We harp on our kids to keep their rooms picked up, and we may even dock their allowance if they don’t—yet look at our own cars. They’re filthy. Disgusting. What if your pay was docked for not keeping your car clean?
Our team of Cars.com Family contributors has learned a lot this past year driving car after car with our combined gaggle of kids in the backseat, and we’re sharing our lessons with you. Here are our top family-car resolutions for 2012: Clean out your crumbs: Every parent should own an in-car vacuum. Our cars get so messy on a daily basis with dirt, sand, snacks, you name it. The ability to quickly suck those puppies up would be indispensible. We also all need to invest in an in-car trash can of some sort. Are you starting to notice a theme here? Believe the electric hype: Mom reviewer Jennifer Newman spent a good part of 2011 behind the wheel of the 2011 Nissan Leaf, which Cars.com purchased for a long-term test drive, and it’s one of her favorite cars. The power is instantaneous and zipping past gas stations without a care is a fantastic feeling. If you're a two-car family, the Leaf should be on your must-try list. Don’t slim down your BubbleBums: To solve a whole slew of family car problems, this year all of our reviewers will be buying more than one BubbleBum booster seat. The dreaded three-kids-in-boosters-across-one-backseat conundrum? Solved. Trying to lug booster seats through the airport while going on vacation? Solved. Worried about your kid’s booster becoming a dangerous projectile while she’s not in it? Solved. World peace? We’re still working on that one. Safety first: Despite our best efforts to educate the world on the dangers of kids in and around cars, every year more than 50 kids are backed over in the U.S., according to KidsandCars.org. This year we resolve to get an aftermarket backup camera in our car, or if we’re buying a new car, we love the 360-degree cameras popping up on higher-end vehicles like the 2012 Infiniti QX. Never drive tipsy; never drive drowsy: After a scarily eye-opening “MythBusters” episode last year that determined that driving drowsy is between three and 10 times more dangerous than driving tipsy (and a few late-night drives home from the airport in which we couldn’t actually remember driving home after the fact), we resolve to never drive drowsy. Instead, we’ll just stay an extra night in the hotel on our business trips. Room service, pajamas and catching up on tacky reality TV that’s entirely inappropriate for the young ones to see? That sounds much better than risking our lives driving home late while drowsy. Ignore the children: We vow to occasionally ignore our children when driving. Distracted driving is a real problem, and people need to make sure they’re paying attention to the road. This sometimes means having to ask the kids to pipe down so we can concentrate on getting through a tangled intersection or busy parking lot.
Kristin Varela is the senior family editor at Cars.com. Opinions expressed within this post are solely those of the author.
]]> Family car

Despite our best intentions as parents, sometimes we fall a little short. We harp on our kids to keep their rooms picked up, and we may even dock their allowance if they don’t—yet look at our own cars. They’re filthy. Disgusting. What if your pay was docked for not keeping your car clean?
Our team of Cars.com Family contributors has learned a lot this past year driving car after car with our combined gaggle of kids in the backseat, and we’re sharing our lessons with you. Here are our top family-car resolutions for 2012: Clean out your crumbs: Every parent should own an in-car vacuum. Our cars get so messy on a daily basis with dirt, sand, snacks, you name it. The ability to quickly suck those puppies up would be indispensible. We also all need to invest in an in-car trash can of some sort. Are you starting to notice a theme here? Believe the electric hype: Mom reviewer Jennifer Newman spent a good part of 2011 behind the wheel of the 2011 Nissan Leaf, which Cars.com purchased for a long-term test drive, and it’s one of her favorite cars. The power is instantaneous and zipping past gas stations without a care is a fantastic feeling. If you're a two-car family, the Leaf should be on your must-try list. Don’t slim down your BubbleBums: To solve a whole slew of family car problems, this year all of our reviewers will be buying more than one BubbleBum booster seat. The dreaded three-kids-in-boosters-across-one-backseat conundrum? Solved. Trying to lug booster seats through the airport while going on vacation? Solved. Worried about your kid’s booster becoming a dangerous projectile while she’s not in it? Solved. World peace? We’re still working on that one. Safety first: Despite our best efforts to educate the world on the dangers of kids in and around cars, every year more than 50 kids are backed over in the U.S., according to KidsandCars.org. This year we resolve to get an aftermarket backup camera in our car, or if we’re buying a new car, we love the 360-degree cameras popping up on higher-end vehicles like the 2012 Infiniti QX. Never drive tipsy; never drive drowsy: After a scarily eye-opening “MythBusters” episode last year that determined that driving drowsy is between three and 10 times more dangerous than driving tipsy (and a few late-night drives home from the airport in which we couldn’t actually remember driving home after the fact), we resolve to never drive drowsy. Instead, we’ll just stay an extra night in the hotel on our business trips. Room service, pajamas and catching up on tacky reality TV that’s entirely inappropriate for the young ones to see? That sounds much better than risking our lives driving home late while drowsy. Ignore the children: We vow to occasionally ignore our children when driving. Distracted driving is a real problem, and people need to make sure they’re paying attention to the road. This sometimes means having to ask the kids to pipe down so we can concentrate on getting through a tangled intersection or busy parking lot.
Kristin Varela is the senior family editor at Cars.com. Opinions expressed within this post are solely those of the author.
]]> http://blog.allstate.com/2012-family-car-resolutions/feed/ 0 Carpooling 101 http://blog.allstate.com/carpooling-101/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=carpooling-101 http://blog.allstate.com/carpooling-101/#comments Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:48:37 +0000 Pamela http://community.allstate.com/community/allstate_blog/blog/2012/01/11/carpooling-101 Carpooling with Kids

Being a mother, the dangers of driving are much more real to me. When I put that kind of responsibility in someone else's hands, my worries multiply tenfold. Following these tips helps to settle the butterflies in my stomach when I see someone drive off with my children in their care.

In the Beginning

  • Meet the Moms - If you don't already know the other childrens' parent(s), organize a playdate where the kids can have fun while you and the other potential carpooling parents can get to know one another.
  • Calendar is King - In order to maintain your role as carpool mom, everything should be written on the family calendar. In addition, there are online tools for actually setting up a carpool in the first place.

Carpool Etiquette

  • Be respectful of other people's time - Your kids, other kids and other parents are counting on you. Make sure you’re on time.
  • Accept differing parenting styles - Every individual has his or her own view on what it means to be a good parent. As long as the kids are safe, chances are you'll have to make some adjustments to keep the peace.
  • Let your kids be their own diplomats - You can (and should) establish ground rules for your car, but it's not always easy to enforce them. Children can learn valuable skills about negotiating their own quarrels if you give them the chance.

Master the Details

  • Information - Maintain an emergency contact sheet with names and phone numbers, but also include things like food allergies and any other quirks for each kid.
  • Work with the system - Schools have elevated transportation management to an art form. Check out your school's website or contact school administrators for rules regarding speed limits and pick-up locations.
  • Maintain your vehicle - This can involve more than just getting your oil changed. For example, you might not know that parents who volunteer to drive for school functions often need to meet specific insurance requirements.

Simple Safety

  • Seats - Booster seats are a must, and it's important that you make sure they're sized and installed correctly.
  • Seatbelts - Invoke the buckle-up brigade. There's nothing more important to car safety than buckling your seatbelt. As a parent, I know the rules, such as not sharing seatbelts and not letting kids ride in cargo areas. Make sure all the kids in your car know them as well.
  • Minimize distractions - Whether you're scanning the street to ensure no children are in the way, or you're making sure that all of the kids make it safely to their houses, your full attention should be on the job of carpooling every time you get behind the wheel.
  • No parenting while driving - Refrain from arguing, persuading or in any way trying to affect behavior unless your foot is firmly on the brake. Pull over if you need to intervene.
Have your own tips? Share them below!]]> Carpooling with Kids

Being a mother, the dangers of driving are much more real to me. When I put that kind of responsibility in someone else's hands, my worries multiply tenfold. Following these tips helps to settle the butterflies in my stomach when I see someone drive off with my children in their care.

In the Beginning

  • Meet the Moms - If you don't already know the other childrens' parent(s), organize a playdate where the kids can have fun while you and the other potential carpooling parents can get to know one another.
  • Calendar is King - In order to maintain your role as carpool mom, everything should be written on the family calendar. In addition, there are online tools for actually setting up a carpool in the first place.

Carpool Etiquette

  • Be respectful of other people's time - Your kids, other kids and other parents are counting on you. Make sure you’re on time.
  • Accept differing parenting styles - Every individual has his or her own view on what it means to be a good parent. As long as the kids are safe, chances are you'll have to make some adjustments to keep the peace.
  • Let your kids be their own diplomats - You can (and should) establish ground rules for your car, but it's not always easy to enforce them. Children can learn valuable skills about negotiating their own quarrels if you give them the chance.

Master the Details

  • Information - Maintain an emergency contact sheet with names and phone numbers, but also include things like food allergies and any other quirks for each kid.
  • Work with the system - Schools have elevated transportation management to an art form. Check out your school's website or contact school administrators for rules regarding speed limits and pick-up locations.
  • Maintain your vehicle - This can involve more than just getting your oil changed. For example, you might not know that parents who volunteer to drive for school functions often need to meet specific insurance requirements.

Simple Safety

  • Seats - Booster seats are a must, and it's important that you make sure they're sized and installed correctly.
  • Seatbelts - Invoke the buckle-up brigade. There's nothing more important to car safety than buckling your seatbelt. As a parent, I know the rules, such as not sharing seatbelts and not letting kids ride in cargo areas. Make sure all the kids in your car know them as well.
  • Minimize distractions - Whether you're scanning the street to ensure no children are in the way, or you're making sure that all of the kids make it safely to their houses, your full attention should be on the job of carpooling every time you get behind the wheel.
  • No parenting while driving - Refrain from arguing, persuading or in any way trying to affect behavior unless your foot is firmly on the brake. Pull over if you need to intervene.
Have your own tips? Share them below!]]> http://blog.allstate.com/carpooling-101/feed/ 0 Keeping Up With Car Seat Recalls http://blog.allstate.com/keeping-up-with-car-seat-recalls/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=keeping-up-with-car-seat-recalls http://blog.allstate.com/keeping-up-with-car-seat-recalls/#comments Mon, 14 Nov 2011 18:30:41 +0000 Brendan http://community.allstate.com/community/allstate_blog/blog/2011/11/14/keeping-up-with-car-seat-recalls Carseat

Hundreds of products are recalled each year for a variety of reasons, and many times those recalls include car seats.  Some car seats just need a repair kit or a replacement part.  Others may need to be retired for good. Keeping up with car seat recalls is easy and can keep your kids safe.
Every family with one or more children has car seats.  From infant seats, convertible car seats, and booster seats, you inevitably own several as your child grows.  During the life of a car seat there is always the possibility that a seat will suffer a recall.  Many parents are unaware there has been a recall with their car seat.  There are a few ways to stay on top of these important safety updates:
  • Subscribe to the car seat recall email notification list. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has an Email Notification System.  When there is a new child restraint recall, you will receive an email letting you know.  This is a great way to stay one step ahead and have any recalled seat problems fixed quickly.
  • Submit the registration card that comes with your car seat’s documentation. Every car seat you purchase should come with a registration card or online registration information.  Submitting this information to the manufacturer is helpful because if there is a recall or problem with the seat you registered, you should receive a letter in the mail or an email alerting you.
  • Search the database for older seats to check for past recalls, especially if you have an older model. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a searchable database that allows parents and caregivers to check whether a seat they already own, or are considering purchasing, has been recalled.  The recalled seat listings include the reason for the recall and steps you can take to have the issue corrected.
Keep up with car seat recalls is a good habit to get into to ensure the safety of your children, especially with all the holiday traveling coming up.  But, it is also important to make sure your seats are always installed correctly and that they are maintained to make sure they are providing the maximum amount of protection.  SafeKids.org has a great page of resources to help you brush up on height and weight limits, as well as when it is appropriate to graduate a child to a booster. It is also a good idea to look into getting a proper seat check periodically or before a long car trip. You can find a Car Seat Check-Up Event near you through SafeKids.org, or you can search on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations website for a Car Seat Inspection Station in your area.  Both can provide you with an inspection and usage tips from a Certified Technician. A few easy steps and you can travel safely this season with a little less stress. Now you just have to untangle those holiday lights.
Katherine Scoleri is the creator of SafeMama.com, a site where parents can go to find what they need to make educated and informed decisions.
]]> Carseat

Hundreds of products are recalled each year for a variety of reasons, and many times those recalls include car seats.  Some car seats just need a repair kit or a replacement part.  Others may need to be retired for good. Keeping up with car seat recalls is easy and can keep your kids safe.
Every family with one or more children has car seats.  From infant seats, convertible car seats, and booster seats, you inevitably own several as your child grows.  During the life of a car seat there is always the possibility that a seat will suffer a recall.  Many parents are unaware there has been a recall with their car seat.  There are a few ways to stay on top of these important safety updates:
  • Subscribe to the car seat recall email notification list. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has an Email Notification System.  When there is a new child restraint recall, you will receive an email letting you know.  This is a great way to stay one step ahead and have any recalled seat problems fixed quickly.
  • Submit the registration card that comes with your car seat’s documentation. Every car seat you purchase should come with a registration card or online registration information.  Submitting this information to the manufacturer is helpful because if there is a recall or problem with the seat you registered, you should receive a letter in the mail or an email alerting you.
  • Search the database for older seats to check for past recalls, especially if you have an older model. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a searchable database that allows parents and caregivers to check whether a seat they already own, or are considering purchasing, has been recalled.  The recalled seat listings include the reason for the recall and steps you can take to have the issue corrected.
Keep up with car seat recalls is a good habit to get into to ensure the safety of your children, especially with all the holiday traveling coming up.  But, it is also important to make sure your seats are always installed correctly and that they are maintained to make sure they are providing the maximum amount of protection.  SafeKids.org has a great page of resources to help you brush up on height and weight limits, as well as when it is appropriate to graduate a child to a booster. It is also a good idea to look into getting a proper seat check periodically or before a long car trip. You can find a Car Seat Check-Up Event near you through SafeKids.org, or you can search on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations website for a Car Seat Inspection Station in your area.  Both can provide you with an inspection and usage tips from a Certified Technician. A few easy steps and you can travel safely this season with a little less stress. Now you just have to untangle those holiday lights.
Katherine Scoleri is the creator of SafeMama.com, a site where parents can go to find what they need to make educated and informed decisions.
]]> http://blog.allstate.com/keeping-up-with-car-seat-recalls/feed/ 0 Carpool Lane Violations: What’s Your Excuse? http://blog.allstate.com/carpool-lane-violations-whats-your-excuse/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=carpool-lane-violations-whats-your-excuse http://blog.allstate.com/carpool-lane-violations-whats-your-excuse/#comments Thu, 10 Nov 2011 22:23:49 +0000 Pamela http://community.allstate.com/community/allstate_blog/blog/2011/11/10/carpool-lane-violations-whats-your-excuse Carpool Lane

We have all been there. Isolated in a sea of rush hour traffic that isn't rushing anywhere. You're boxed in and your inner speed demon is aching to squash the accelerator to the floor and leave the city in a wake of exhaust. Then, out of the corner of your eye, you see a driver’s Shangri La: the carpool lane with its pristine asphalt stretching ahead for miles and devoid of idling vehicles.
You start to daydream: Who would care if you pulled into the HOV lane and just went a few miles? Your question is answered quickly by the pretty blue lights flashing in your rear-view and you find yourself explaining to Officer Unforgiving that you were "in a hurry.” Back in reality, traffic violations may have a noticeable effect on your insurance premiums, which is why being smart on the road not only saves lives, it can help save you money, too. I have made the mistake. I took the wrong turn and wound up all alone in the carpool lane. I realized my error and merged nervously back into regular traffic (only after I took a moment to savor the luxury of an open road, of course). I drove for a dozen paranoid miles obsessively checking my rear-view and thinking the 1989 Corolla was an unmarked police car. Luckily, I didn’t receive a ticket that day. However, some daring motorists embrace the carpool lane boasting some not-so-subtle gimmicks devised to trick the police. Trust me, police do not give extra credit for creativity. If you find yourself standing before a municipal court judge, here are some of the ploys often used to deceive the authorities:
  • A life-like mannequin in the passenger seat, a cardboard cutout made to look like a passenger or a lifelike doll buckled into a child safety seat.
  • Having a fake conversation with said mannequin, cardboard cutout or lifelike doll.
  • Fake stickers saying your vehicle is a low emissions vehicle (when it isn’t!).
  • Telling the police your wife is in labor or other medical emergency. (Just try to talk your way out of the police escort to the hospital!)
If you fancy yourself an actor, you might recognize these lines given to the police;
  • "I'm lost."
  • "I didn't see the sign."
  • "I didn't know."
  • "I’m from out of town."
  • "I have to warn the president about (insert threat to humanity)."
But why not actually carpool? Why not think of a traffic jam as a miniature break from your daily tasks? Why not crank the radio and serenade your fellow gridlocked drivers? Many cities and companies offer a reward system for carpooling, telecommuting or using public transit. The clean air campaign is just one example. Ask your company about the possibility of telecommuting to completely avoid the mayhem of rush hour and wear and tear on your vehicle. Whatever your reason to get there on time, make the smart choices and avoid citations that can affect your driving record and your insurance premiums. Visit Allstate.com for more auto insurance information.
]]> Carpool Lane

We have all been there. Isolated in a sea of rush hour traffic that isn't rushing anywhere. You're boxed in and your inner speed demon is aching to squash the accelerator to the floor and leave the city in a wake of exhaust. Then, out of the corner of your eye, you see a driver’s Shangri La: the carpool lane with its pristine asphalt stretching ahead for miles and devoid of idling vehicles.
You start to daydream: Who would care if you pulled into the HOV lane and just went a few miles? Your question is answered quickly by the pretty blue lights flashing in your rear-view and you find yourself explaining to Officer Unforgiving that you were "in a hurry.” Back in reality, traffic violations may have a noticeable effect on your insurance premiums, which is why being smart on the road not only saves lives, it can help save you money, too. I have made the mistake. I took the wrong turn and wound up all alone in the carpool lane. I realized my error and merged nervously back into regular traffic (only after I took a moment to savor the luxury of an open road, of course). I drove for a dozen paranoid miles obsessively checking my rear-view and thinking the 1989 Corolla was an unmarked police car. Luckily, I didn’t receive a ticket that day. However, some daring motorists embrace the carpool lane boasting some not-so-subtle gimmicks devised to trick the police. Trust me, police do not give extra credit for creativity. If you find yourself standing before a municipal court judge, here are some of the ploys often used to deceive the authorities:
  • A life-like mannequin in the passenger seat, a cardboard cutout made to look like a passenger or a lifelike doll buckled into a child safety seat.
  • Having a fake conversation with said mannequin, cardboard cutout or lifelike doll.
  • Fake stickers saying your vehicle is a low emissions vehicle (when it isn’t!).
  • Telling the police your wife is in labor or other medical emergency. (Just try to talk your way out of the police escort to the hospital!)
If you fancy yourself an actor, you might recognize these lines given to the police;
  • "I'm lost."
  • "I didn't see the sign."
  • "I didn't know."
  • "I’m from out of town."
  • "I have to warn the president about (insert threat to humanity)."
But why not actually carpool? Why not think of a traffic jam as a miniature break from your daily tasks? Why not crank the radio and serenade your fellow gridlocked drivers? Many cities and companies offer a reward system for carpooling, telecommuting or using public transit. The clean air campaign is just one example. Ask your company about the possibility of telecommuting to completely avoid the mayhem of rush hour and wear and tear on your vehicle. Whatever your reason to get there on time, make the smart choices and avoid citations that can affect your driving record and your insurance premiums. Visit Allstate.com for more auto insurance information.
]]> http://blog.allstate.com/carpool-lane-violations-whats-your-excuse/feed/ 0 Car Seat 101: Keeping Kids Safe [INFOGRAPHIC] http://blog.allstate.com/car-seat-101-keeping-kids-safe-infographic/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=car-seat-101-keeping-kids-safe-infographic http://blog.allstate.com/car-seat-101-keeping-kids-safe-infographic/#comments Wed, 21 Sep 2011 15:23:13 +0000 Brendan http://community.allstate.com/community/allstate_blog/blog/2011/09/21/laying-down-the-law Carpooling with Kids

Car safety is a top priority when driving your kids from place to place. Defensive driving is one way that can be accomplished. Making sure your child is properly secured in a car seat is the other. Your child's age, height and weight are all factors to consider when choosing which car seat will best protect your little one. Determining which car seat to use, when to use it, how to install it and how to properly discard it can be confusing, so use this infographic to help sort through the confusion and keep your kids safe.

Click on the image below to enlarge it

]]> Carpooling with Kids

Car safety is a top priority when driving your kids from place to place. Defensive driving is one way that can be accomplished. Making sure your child is properly secured in a car seat is the other. Your child's age, height and weight are all factors to consider when choosing which car seat will best protect your little one. Determining which car seat to use, when to use it, how to install it and how to properly discard it can be confusing, so use this infographic to help sort through the confusion and keep your kids safe.

Click on the image below to enlarge it

]]> http://blog.allstate.com/car-seat-101-keeping-kids-safe-infographic/feed/ 0 Child Car Safety: Buckle Up Securely http://blog.allstate.com/child-car-safety-buckle-up-securely/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=child-car-safety-buckle-up-securely http://blog.allstate.com/child-car-safety-buckle-up-securely/#comments Sun, 29 May 2011 16:08:33 +0000 Jen http://community.allstate.com/community/allstate_blog/blog/2011/05/29/child-car-safety-buckle-up-securely school bus safety

As your child gets older, he or she will need special types of restraints to keep them safe in the car depending on the age, weight and/or height of the child. Currently all 50 states and the District of Columbia require safety seats for infants and children fitting specific criteria. However, only 47 states, including the District of Columbia, require booster seats for children who have outgrown a car seat but are too small to use an adult seat belt safely. There are four types of restraints (including adult seat belts) that will keep your child safe. But deciding when to make the switch from each stage can be confusing since the criteria for change is often ambiguous. Here are the four stages of child passenger safety with tips to help you decide when it’s time to purchase a new car seat or booster seat.

1. Rear-Facing Seats

Rear–facing seats are those that face the seat and the back window rather than the front window. You should check the height or weight limit mandated by the manufacturer of your car seat (often on a label affixed to the seat), but in general your infant should be placed in a rear-facing seat until he/she is at least one year old and/or 20 pounds. Once your child has reached the highest weight or length allowed, they should continue to ride rear-facing in a convertible seat.

2. Forward-Facing Seats

As soon as your child has grown out of their rear-facing seat, you should purchase a forward-facing seat with a full harness. Once again, you should check the manufacturers’ guidelines on height and weight limit but generally, your child should be no younger than four and weigh at least 40 pounds.

3. Booster Seats

Booster seats are for older children who have grown out of their forward-facing car seat. Your child should stay in the booster seat until an adult seat belt can fit correctly – usually when your child reaches about 4’9’’ and is between 8 and 12 years-old.

4. Seat Belts

As soon as your child is over 4’9” and/or weights 80 pounds, they should be big enough to use the adult seat belt. Make sure the lap belt lays across the upper legs and the shoulder belt fits across the chest. It is important that your child does not place the shoulder belt behind their backs, so make sure the belt is in a comfortable position. This information is a general guideline. Each state has its own laws governing when a specific child restraint is required. Currently 47 states require booster seats, but age, weight and height requirements vary. Be sure to check to see what your state law is, since first offense fines for not complying can range from $10 to $200. For additional tips and driving safely with young passengers, click here.
]]> school bus safety

As your child gets older, he or she will need special types of restraints to keep them safe in the car depending on the age, weight and/or height of the child. Currently all 50 states and the District of Columbia require safety seats for infants and children fitting specific criteria. However, only 47 states, including the District of Columbia, require booster seats for children who have outgrown a car seat but are too small to use an adult seat belt safely. There are four types of restraints (including adult seat belts) that will keep your child safe. But deciding when to make the switch from each stage can be confusing since the criteria for change is often ambiguous. Here are the four stages of child passenger safety with tips to help you decide when it’s time to purchase a new car seat or booster seat.

1. Rear-Facing Seats

Rear–facing seats are those that face the seat and the back window rather than the front window. You should check the height or weight limit mandated by the manufacturer of your car seat (often on a label affixed to the seat), but in general your infant should be placed in a rear-facing seat until he/she is at least one year old and/or 20 pounds. Once your child has reached the highest weight or length allowed, they should continue to ride rear-facing in a convertible seat.

2. Forward-Facing Seats

As soon as your child has grown out of their rear-facing seat, you should purchase a forward-facing seat with a full harness. Once again, you should check the manufacturers’ guidelines on height and weight limit but generally, your child should be no younger than four and weigh at least 40 pounds.

3. Booster Seats

Booster seats are for older children who have grown out of their forward-facing car seat. Your child should stay in the booster seat until an adult seat belt can fit correctly – usually when your child reaches about 4’9’’ and is between 8 and 12 years-old.

4. Seat Belts

As soon as your child is over 4’9” and/or weights 80 pounds, they should be big enough to use the adult seat belt. Make sure the lap belt lays across the upper legs and the shoulder belt fits across the chest. It is important that your child does not place the shoulder belt behind their backs, so make sure the belt is in a comfortable position. This information is a general guideline. Each state has its own laws governing when a specific child restraint is required. Currently 47 states require booster seats, but age, weight and height requirements vary. Be sure to check to see what your state law is, since first offense fines for not complying can range from $10 to $200. For additional tips and driving safely with young passengers, click here.
]]> http://blog.allstate.com/child-car-safety-buckle-up-securely/feed/ 1 2011 Booster Seat Rankings http://blog.allstate.com/2011-booster-seat-rankings/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=2011-booster-seat-rankings http://blog.allstate.com/2011-booster-seat-rankings/#comments Sun, 22 May 2011 19:07:19 +0000 Jen http://community.allstate.com/community/allstate_blog/blog/2011/05/22/2011-booster-seat-rankings Booster Seat

If you’re a parent, keeping your child safe, on and off the road, should be one of your top priorities. While it is common knowledge that small children need to be properly restrained in a forward-facing car seat, it is important to remember that the next step isn’t a seat belt, it’s a booster seat. According to HealthyChildren.org, children who have outgrown their forward-facing car seat should sit in a booster seat for safety reasons. Children should stay in a booster seat until seat belts fit correctly which is typically when the child reaches about 4′ 9″ in height and is between 8 and 12 years old. But unlike other items, you can’t judge the quality and safety of a booster seat by the price, design, features and brand. So how do you tell the good from the bad? Luckily, the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) has done the research for you. In their most recent study the IIHS a record 31 booster seats as best bets - meaning they correctly position the safety belt on the child passenger in almost any car, minivan or SUV - with another five as good bets, seats that give an acceptable belt fit in most vehicles. Six of these booster seats were labeled as not recommended because the seat belts did not fit well. Here are the results of the IIHS 2011 booster seat evaluation.

Best Bets

The following best bets are the most likely to position lap and shoulder belts correctly on most children in most cars, minivans and SUVs:
  • Britax Frontier 85
  • Britax Frontier 85 SICT
  • Britax Parkway SGL (highback mode)
  • BubbleBum
  • Chicco KeyFit Strada (highback mode)
  • Clek Oobr (highback mode)
  • Cosco Pronto (highback mode)
  • Cybex Solution X-Fix
  • Diono/Sunshine Kids Monterey (highback mode)
  • Eddie Bauer Auto Booster (highback mode)
  • Evenflo Big Kid Amp
  • Evenflo Big Kid Sport (backless mode)
  • Evenflo Maestro
  • Evenflo Symphony 65 e3
  • Ferrari Dreamway SP (highback mode)
  • Graco Argos 70 (highback mode)
  • Graco TurboBooster – Baldwin (highback mode)
  • Graco TurboBooster Elite (highback mode)
  • Harmony Cruz Youth Booster/Harmony Carpooler
  • Harmony Dreamtime (backless mode)
  • Harmony Dreamtime (highback mode)
  • Harmony Olympian/Secure Comfort Deluxe
  • Harmony Youth Booster Seat
  • Kids Embrace Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  • Maxi-Cosi Rodi XR (highback mode)
  • Recaro ProBOOSTER
  • Recaro ProSPORT
  • Recaro Vivo
  • Safety 1st Boost Air Protect (highback mode)
  • Safety 1st S1 Rümi Air
  • The First Years B570 Pathway

Good Bets

The following five good bets provide acceptable lap and shoulder fit in almost as many vehicle belt configurations as the best bet boosters:
  • Britax Parkway SG (highback mode)
  • Combi Kobuk Air Thru (backless mode)
  • Combi Kobuk Air Thru (highback mode)
  • Evenflo Symphony 65
  • Maxi-Cosi Rodi (highback mode)

Not Recommended

According to the IIHS, parents should avoid buying the following six booster seats because they do not provide a good seat belt fit. But, if you own one of these boosters, you shouldn’t throw it away because any booster seat is better than no booster seat. However, if it’s not too late, you should considering returning the seat and purchasing another.
  • Evenflo Chase
  • Evenflo Express
  • Evenflo Generations 65
  • Evenflo Sightseer
  • Safety 1st All-in-One
  • Safety 1st Alpha Omega Elite
]]> Booster Seat

If you’re a parent, keeping your child safe, on and off the road, should be one of your top priorities. While it is common knowledge that small children need to be properly restrained in a forward-facing car seat, it is important to remember that the next step isn’t a seat belt, it’s a booster seat. According to HealthyChildren.org, children who have outgrown their forward-facing car seat should sit in a booster seat for safety reasons. Children should stay in a booster seat until seat belts fit correctly which is typically when the child reaches about 4′ 9″ in height and is between 8 and 12 years old. But unlike other items, you can’t judge the quality and safety of a booster seat by the price, design, features and brand. So how do you tell the good from the bad? Luckily, the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) has done the research for you. In their most recent study the IIHS a record 31 booster seats as best bets - meaning they correctly position the safety belt on the child passenger in almost any car, minivan or SUV - with another five as good bets, seats that give an acceptable belt fit in most vehicles. Six of these booster seats were labeled as not recommended because the seat belts did not fit well. Here are the results of the IIHS 2011 booster seat evaluation.

Best Bets

The following best bets are the most likely to position lap and shoulder belts correctly on most children in most cars, minivans and SUVs:
  • Britax Frontier 85
  • Britax Frontier 85 SICT
  • Britax Parkway SGL (highback mode)
  • BubbleBum
  • Chicco KeyFit Strada (highback mode)
  • Clek Oobr (highback mode)
  • Cosco Pronto (highback mode)
  • Cybex Solution X-Fix
  • Diono/Sunshine Kids Monterey (highback mode)
  • Eddie Bauer Auto Booster (highback mode)
  • Evenflo Big Kid Amp
  • Evenflo Big Kid Sport (backless mode)
  • Evenflo Maestro
  • Evenflo Symphony 65 e3
  • Ferrari Dreamway SP (highback mode)
  • Graco Argos 70 (highback mode)
  • Graco TurboBooster – Baldwin (highback mode)
  • Graco TurboBooster Elite (highback mode)
  • Harmony Cruz Youth Booster/Harmony Carpooler
  • Harmony Dreamtime (backless mode)
  • Harmony Dreamtime (highback mode)
  • Harmony Olympian/Secure Comfort Deluxe
  • Harmony Youth Booster Seat
  • Kids Embrace Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  • Maxi-Cosi Rodi XR (highback mode)
  • Recaro ProBOOSTER
  • Recaro ProSPORT
  • Recaro Vivo
  • Safety 1st Boost Air Protect (highback mode)
  • Safety 1st S1 Rümi Air
  • The First Years B570 Pathway

Good Bets

The following five good bets provide acceptable lap and shoulder fit in almost as many vehicle belt configurations as the best bet boosters:
  • Britax Parkway SG (highback mode)
  • Combi Kobuk Air Thru (backless mode)
  • Combi Kobuk Air Thru (highback mode)
  • Evenflo Symphony 65
  • Maxi-Cosi Rodi (highback mode)

Not Recommended

According to the IIHS, parents should avoid buying the following six booster seats because they do not provide a good seat belt fit. But, if you own one of these boosters, you shouldn’t throw it away because any booster seat is better than no booster seat. However, if it’s not too late, you should considering returning the seat and purchasing another.
  • Evenflo Chase
  • Evenflo Express
  • Evenflo Generations 65
  • Evenflo Sightseer
  • Safety 1st All-in-One
  • Safety 1st Alpha Omega Elite
]]> http://blog.allstate.com/2011-booster-seat-rankings/feed/ 0 Welcome to the All Things Wheels Blog http://blog.allstate.com/welcome-to-the-all-things-wheels-blog/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=welcome-to-the-all-things-wheels-blog http://blog.allstate.com/welcome-to-the-all-things-wheels-blog/#comments Fri, 01 May 2009 23:00:51 +0000 Brendan http://community.allstate.com/community/allstate_blog/blog/2009/05/01/welcome-to-the-all-things-wheels-blog Amit and I will be posting content about All Things Wheels as the Strategy and Content Manager for Social Networking...

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Amit and I will be posting content about All Things Wheels as the Strategy and Content Manager for Social Networking at Allstate. While we get started with the community, you may find some of the content posted on Allstate.com. Whats different is that were posting these articles to the community to start a discussion on what they may really mean to the community.My colleagues and I will also scour the web each week for helpful automotive topics that may make a difference in our lives, and well provide quick summaries and link to those sites.

Bloggers
We will soon feature articles written by bloggers from other sites. External bloggers add a non-Allstate perspective and viewpoint to topics of interest to the community. We do not and will not pay or compensate any bloggers to promote Allstate or any of its products.

A True Learning Organization
One of the principles of Allstates Shared Vision is to Be a learning organization. Therefore, we are actively listening to your advice as community members on how we can improve. What are your thoughts? What topics should we cover? What other sites do you like best? How can we make the site easier to use?

Find Us On Twitter
Yes, were twittering! Well notify everyone of new posts via twitter, but you can still subscribe via RSS feeds too.
www.twitter.com/allstate

Thanks!
-Amit

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