Safety Concerns Regarding Car Seats and Strollers for our Houston Kids

Today's news headlines brought us yet another warning about safety issues in our children's transportation seats. This recall affected the popular and somewhat ubiquitous B.O.B. jogging strollers. A poorly attached logo could detach. After the logos detach, young children have a tendency to reach for them and put them in their mouths. Several instances of gagging and choking in young children resulted from the defect.

This particular recall was just the latest one in a long line of recalls affecting children's car seats, booster seats, strollers, cribs, toys and other equipment. Many of the recalled items intended to enhance children's safety. But children's car seats and strollers actually represent fairly complex items. And designers and manufacturers don't always get every aspect of the products correct. They should. Children's lives often depend upon their accuracy.

Even where these children's products are fit for their intended purposes, over time, various parts of them where out or weaken. For instance, I just came across a news item reminding parents that children's car seats have an expiration date. These car seats have various internal and external parts that wear down with time and usage.

The internal frame of the car seat, which you may never see, may crack or become brittle. External safety straps might start to ravel, tear, or just become looser. And a worn-out car seat that can suddenly break or give way offers your child little protection from injuries and accidents.

So always check your child's safety equipment regarding recall notices and expiration dates. The world can be a frightening and dangerous place to our little ones. You want to give them all the best protection that you can.