Just sayin'

My friend Bonnie and I are starting a series on Friday called "just sayin".  It is space to say what is on your mind.  It's room to say the blunt things that maybe you hold back because they maybe a little outspoken, or crass or just make one a little nervous.  So here we go:

This is something that has been on my mind- a lot lately and it's madening to me.  It blows my mind and if I'm completely honest, it makes my blood boil.  It's car seat safety.  Are you serious Abbey?  Really??  You are doing a link up and a series and you want to talk about it?  YES!

Let me back up, when Frank and I were dating, he worked at the North Charleston Fire Department.  He responded to a horrific accident that involved a grandma, mom and two small children.  Annabelle and Emma Kate's age, maybe a little older, maybe.  Long story short, the babes were not in carseats.  Like, they were in the carseat but the carseat was not installed to the car and the children were not fastened in.  They were projected out of the car and onto the interstate.  It was VERY VERY messy.   I won't go into the details because we keep it PG around here.  Between the dad showing up to the scene and the fire department restraining him and Frank driving the ambulance to MUSC and then recieved counceling over what he saw, touched and cried over.  I mean ugly cry, on my bed, on my couch, in my arms, for days, weeks, months.  This is not something to be taken lightly.

Proper strap placement.

I see my friends posting pictures on facebook of their babes, their toddlers, their joy, the prized beings.  And they are not in there properly.  One accident and they would be out of there!!  Friends, buckle your children in correctly!  The straps need to be on their shoulders, not slouching off, not twisted, not loose so that they are "comfortable".  That top buckle is just as important as the one between their legs.  It needs to be up on their chest.  I don't care if your babe scream and pitches a fit- spank them.  This is a non-negotiable.

I actually took this picture on purpose to show improper strap placement.  AB was wiggley when we buckled her in and we didn't realize it was so loose.  She was mad when I reached back there to mess with her!

Infant seating is so important.  Don't disregard them just because they are turned around!  They need snug straps as well as proper reclining.  

If you did not marry a firefighter who knows how to install a carseat or are concerned that you have not installed your carseat properly, please make sure that you read the directions!  They are not that difficult, or you can "youtube" your installing directions and watch a short clip.  I know, it's like you need an engineering degree for all this baby gear, but it's worth making sure that your babe is safe and you can have a peace of mind, I'm just sayin!!

If you have something to say, link up here or over at Bonnbonnboutique!