When to turn a car seat around: Toyota of Orlando tips

If you’ve got little ones in the back of your Orlando Toyota, you’re probably pretty well-versed in the world of car seats. And you also know that all kids start out rear-facing and then graduate to forward-facing at some point… but do you actually know when to turn a car seat around? Toyota of Orlando is here with a quick guide on when to turn a car seat around, as well as some car seat safety tips.

when to turn a car seat around

When to turn a car seat around: What you should know

When it comes to when to turn a car seat around, it varies from child to child. Some parents think that it depends on the age of the child, but this actually isn’t the case. Here’s what you should know:

  • The longer you can keep your children in rear-facing seats, the better – the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping your child rear-facing until they’ve exceeded the height and weight limits of their rear-facing seats. This can be anywhere between the ages of 3-5 and will be different for each child. No child younger than 2 should ever be forward-facing.
  • Check your car seat to see what the height and weight recommendations are for forward-facing. This will help guide your decision of when to turn a car seat around.
  • In a rear-facing seat, the child’s head must be at least 1″ below the top of the seat. If their heads go above this marker, they’re too big to be rear-facing. Their legs touching the seat in front of them does NOT mean it’s time to turn them around.
  • You may need to invest in a new car seat when it’s time to turn it around. Some seats are made solely for rear-facing children, so ensure that your seat can safely be turned around and latched in.
  • You should also check your state’s laws – some states have very specific laws about when a car seat can be turned around.
  • You may be tempted to turn the seat around early, but remember that it’s actually a step down in safety. And if your child is too small, it could be dangerous to turn them around.
    • Rear-facing is safer because it cradles your child’s head, neck, and spine within the shell of the seat in an accident. This greatly reduces the number of head and neck injuries in a car accident.
    • Some parents think that rear-facing children will sustain leg injuries in a car accident, especially if their legs touch the seat in front of them. This isn’t the case; their legs will actually be safer when cradled in the car seat than if they were forward-facing, in which case they could fly up.

Orlando Toyota car seat safety tips

Now that you know when to turn a car seat around, here are a few other car seat safety tips for your Orlando Toyota:

  • Always make sure your car seat is securely installed – follow directions, watch an official tutorial from the manufacturer, or stop by your local fire station or police station to have them check it. It’s free!
  • ALWAYS have your car seat in the back seat. They’re not designed for the front seat.
  • Be careful of the toys and snacks you give your child while they’re in the car seat – you don’t want to introduce a choking hazard.
  • Never leave your child unattended in the car. Not even for a minute.
  • Make sure you have the right car seat for your child’s height and weight.

Need more tips? Toyota of Orlando can help. Call us today at (407) 298-4500 or stop by! We’re conveniently located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road.