February 9, 2004

Raven Kingsley's daughter Tawnzi just turned 1 -- the time when most parents change the car seats for their children.

"I get most of my advice about car seats from my mother and grandmother," Kingsley said.

Neyen Khatri's son Samir is 4 months old. "I did extensive research on the Internet before I decided. I have a large vehicle, so I had to buy a large seat," Khatri said.

With so many options, it isn't always easy for parents to know where to turn for advice on choosing the best car seat for their children.

The California Highway Patrol and the Keep Baby Safe program in Stanislaus County have been trying to help parents solve that problem.

Ninety percent of car seats are used incorrectly, according to the CHP.

"That is why we advise people to check the labels on the seat to ensure that they are appropriate," said CHP officer Manuel Cuellar, also a child seat technician.

Labels usually have basic information, such as the minimum and maximum height and weight allowed, he added.

But the best guide is the passenger. "Parents should go to the store with the child and choose the seat that fits best," Cuellar said. "The store usually has someone who can help out."

Cuellar also advised buyers to check if the seat is federally approved, the model number and the manufacturing date. "And always fill out the card and mail it back to the manufacturer. That way buyers will get notified if there is a product recall."

Sometimes a baby might not fit into a new seat properly. Parents should go to a safety center or CHP office and let someone help, experts say.

Anne Stokman of the Doctors Medical Center Foundation has been associated with Keep Baby Safe, a community car seat program, since 1991.

"Bring the baby, seat and the car and let us do it for you," she said. "There are different types of cars, different types of seat belts and different types of car seats. If you can't figure out which seat is best for your child, you should get help," said Stokman.

Despite the best intentions, sometimes parents might not know enough about the correct car seat for their kids.

"Many parents know that it is required by law, so they buy it," Stokman said, but they might not know enough on how to use the seat safely.

Sometimes parents will move their children to bigger car seats sooner than they should, she said.

"I always tell parents that instead of the purple colored seat or polka dot seat you liked, go for the one that fits your kid the best," she said.

Stokman also urged parents to be careful with second-hand seats. She said that sometime ago, she was at a checkpoint and found a car seat that had been bought from a yard sale. It looked new, but some hardware was missing at the back, she said.

Reprinted by permission of the Modesto Bee.