Rebecca Alston, Author at Mamas Like Me

Living on a Budget? Discover 4 Ways You Can Still Spoil Yourself Here

We all deserve a little treat now and again. We all lead such busy lives, chasing around after our children, getting stressed at work and putting the needs of others before our own, it’s a well-known fact that treating yourself and putting your needs first for once is good for your mental health and your physical wellbeing. So, why don’t most of us do it?

The answer is simple and very common. The fact is that many of us believe that to spoil ourselves we need to spend a huge amount of money or have large disposable income. How can treating yourself be justifiable if you’re already struggling with debt and living on a tight budget? Click here for more information about debt management and financial advice. More people need to be aware that you don’t need to break the bank or upset the delicate financial balance you’re currently managing to treat yourself.

Looking for a little inspiration? Read on for some simple ways you can spoil yourself whilst on a budget.

Read

Most adults wish that they had more time to curl up with a good book. So, why not treat yourself and find the time. Disappear into a different world or follow someone else’s life to escape the pressures and stress of your own. Even just 20 minutes alone, reading can help you relax. Need some new material? Head to the library!

Boost your mood with exercise

Releasing those all-important endorphins is what makes us feel good. And believe it or not, one of the best ways to do that is to exercise. Get your heart pumping with an online equipment-free exercise video, go for a jog, or try something soothing like Pilates or yoga in your bedroom.

Take advantage of the weather

We’ve been blessed with some pretty good weather lately. And wall to wall sunshine isn’t just good news for your flowers. It’s also a great way to spoil yourself with some vitamin D and a much needed mood boost. Spend your lunch hour outdoors, go for a picnic with the kids or just sit by the window with a coffee, and let the sun warm your face. A moment of reflection in the sun will certainly make you feel good.

Pamper yourself (at home)

When was the last time you had a hot bath or shower uninterrupted? Take some time to enjoy a hot soak, look after your skin with some moisturiser, paint your nails, blow dry your hair, practice some makeup skills, or just sit around in your robe or towel for as long as you please.

How do you like to indulge and spoil yourself?

5 Things You Should Know About Drug Testing For Cannabis

A cannabis user often struggles with the idea, whether to freely use marijuana or not. In the States, despite its decriminalization in medical use at the federal level, it is illegal. So, anyone possessing cannabis without proper medical certification can be questionable under law. The possession of marijuana can present a clear picture, but its use comes with several complexities. Any organization that forbids the use of marijuana on duty might face difficulty in comprehending if the use is off the ground or at work.

There are many other countries, such as Canada, where people can freely smoke pot or buy substances like shatter Canada for recreational purposes. So, as a cannabis user, you need to understand decriminalization laws and legal use of the drug from one country to another, especially if you intend to travel. Due to this variation in the law and impeding punishment from it, it is ideal for equipping yourself with useful ground information, concerning the use and the testing of the drug. Here are a few facts that you may find amusing.

1. You can test positive even after a month of use.

As one of the significant components of cannabis, THC, remains in the bloodstream for many days, it can test many positive days after the use. However, it is the fat-soluble qualities of THC that lets it keep stored in our system for even longer than that. So, until the fat molecules containing cannabis are in the system, it can come under detection. The number of days cannabis stay detectable in your system is hugely dependent on the frequency and the quantity of the use. It may also depend on the vitals and metabolism rate of the user. An occasional user can get away with a negative on many of the test results after three to five days while the chronic user may observe a positive effect even a month after the cessation of the use.

2. Common forensic drug testing can confuse between CBD and THC.

CBD has been socially mainstreamed for its therapeutic properties. You may notice several CBD infused edibles in the market. These edibles are legal as long as they contain a low percentage of THC of about 0.3%. However, some reports suggest that standard forensic drug tests can easily mistake CBD for THC. So, if you get a positive test after eating a delicious CBD gummy, you may require further testing to clarify the doubts.

3. Several methods to detect cannabis use

Apart from a blood test, the use of cannabis can come through several methods, such as a urine test, hair analysis, and saliva. All these tests have detection windows varying from 1 day to 30 days. However, hair analysis can assess the use of marijuana even after three months of use. Cannabis can enter the hair follicles via small vessels and may show traces of the drug remains.

4. Cannabis detection is clinical and time-consuming.

Unlike the alcohol test, there is no appropriate on-the-spot technique to test cannabis in the system. Nearly all testing methods are clinical and require assessment time. These tests cannot clearly state whether the positive results are due to active use or passive exposure. Since it is difficult to assess the time elapse from the last use, it is difficult to comprehend the exact day of the drug administration.

5. No definitive methods to find out the impairment caused by cannabis.

There is no suitable test to detect the intoxication level or the impairment caused by cannabis use in an individual. There are hardly any parameters that can clearly define the limits of use with the absence of such tests. As one cannot judge the intoxication level that comes from its use, it is difficult to enforce the law, especially in cases related to driving limits.

The Bottom Line

Unlike alcohol, one cannot detect the use of cannabis through a detector. At the minimum, any new use of cannabis can come out through a blood test. The lack of any on the spot method to test the use of cannabis makes it difficult to set any parameters on its use. In other instances, where there is decriminalization or social acceptance of cannabis use, this uncertainty in the test results may work in favor of the user. Nevertheless, always read the best sativa strain reviewsbefore buying and don’t overboard on cannabis.

6 Common Childhood Speech Disorders

All children learn language and speech at a different pace. Some children have no problems with sounding out various words and sentences, whilst others have some difficulties.

Childhood speech disorders are more common than you might think. If your child has a speech disorder, there are ways you can help them to improve and even overcome it.

A child should be able to speak a couple of words by age 2. From that point forward, it should be easier for them to learn more words and to pronounce them correctly.

If your child continues to have speech problems by the age of 5, then something might be wrong. Your first step is to get an evaluation from a speech pathologist who will assess the type, severity, and possible cause of your child’s disorder.

Below are six common childhood speech disorders you should have on your radar.

Lisping

Lisping is a speech disorder that can happen to anyone. A lisp is when someone has trouble pronouncing the letters “s” and “z.”

For example, when they sound out the “s” letter, it will sound more like the “th” in the word “thick.” And when they sound out the “z” letter, it will sound more like the “th” in the word “this.”

A lisp occurs because the person cannot control their tongue properly as they speak. Their tongue will usually touch the front of their teeth as they try to sound out the “s” or “z” letters. That is why it comes out as a “th” sound.

Children begin speaking around the same time as their first teeth develop, so it is not unusual for speech development issues to be linked to their teeth. Your Mascot family dentist can provide insight into how your child’s dental condition could be impacting their speech.

Stuttering

Stuttering is a widespread speech disorder that affects millions of people, especially children. A stutter is when someone uncontrollably repeats the same sounds as they talk.

It is usually the first consonants of the words that are repeated involuntarily. Most children will outgrow their stuttering problem, but there is no telling how long it will take.

However, you can speed up the process by having your child work with a speech pathologist. Unlike other speed disorders, stuttering is curable.

Delayed Language Development

Delayed speech development, also known as alalia, is when a child does not try to communicate in the first years of their life orally.

Some children develop late when it comes to speech, while others could have brain damage or some developmental disorder, such as autism.

For most children, it takes a little bit longer for their speech organs to link to their brains properly. Their vocal cords, tongue, and mouth are all the main elements of speech. They need a bit of extra training and exercise to overcome delayed speech.

Apraxia

Apraxia is a type of speech disorder where the neural link between a person’s speech muscles and their brain is dysfunctional.

In other words, even though the brain knows what it wants to say, it fails to transmit the proper message to the speech muscles because of obscurity in the neural link between the brain and speech muscles.

Some children are born with apraxia, but it is not detectable right away. You have to wait for the child to get older so that you can hear them speak. If they pronounce words inconsistently or distort the sounds of words, they may have apraxia.

Dysarthria

Dysarthria is what happens when you suffer from speech muscle damage or nerve damage. You will end up with slurred speech, limited tongue movement, slow speech, abnormal rhythm, and limited lip movement.

Adults suffer from this more than children, but it can happen to children too. If a young child develops a condition like cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy, then it could cause them to have dysarthria.

Muteness

There are multiple types of muteness speech disorders, but the primary one is selective muteness. It is a disorder where the person has the physical ability to speak, but they cannot make themselves talk.

Muteness has a significant psychological component to it. A child who suffers from muteness would need the help of a speech pathologist, psychiatrist, psychologist, paediatrician, or a combination of them.

Speech disorders are common and should not be a matter of concern. If your child is showing signs of a speech impairment enlist the help of a speech therapist and get the tools you need to help your child improve and overcome their disorder.

Image Pixabay License CCO

What Is Ataxic Cerebral Palsy?

‘Ataxia’ refers to a sense of disorder or a lack of coordination. Ataxic cerebral palsy is, therefore, the name given to a type of cerebral palsy that is characterized by issues with balance and depth perception. The condition is brought about by injuries affecting the cerebellum (Latin for ‘little brain’), which is a brain structure located in the ‘hindbrain’ section in the lower rear part of the skull. These injuries could be linked to medical negligence during pregnancy, during birth, or after birth – see cerebral palsy lawyer Atlanta if you would like more information. Although this structure accounts for only around 10% of the volume of the brain, more than half of the brain’s neurons are found here – this means that damage to the cerebellum can have far reaching implications with regard to coordination and motor skills. This is the least common type of all cerebral palsies.

Spotting the signs of ataxic cerebral palsy

One of the early warnings that could be a sign of ataxic cerebral palsy is a wide gait when walking (i.e. feet are spread far apart). This type of gait can help children with ataxic cerebral palsy to find balance when upright, as the condition is known to affect the ability to steady oneself. An inability to judge perception when reaching for toys and poor limb coordination are also early indicators of this type of cerebral palsy.

In terms of speech, communication skills that would otherwise appear to be developing at a regular rate may be studded with periods of unexplained erratic speech patterns that seem unprompted and seem to have no bearing on the surroundings. This means that diagnosis of the condition becomes more prevalent around the age of four years old when the motor skills required for walking and talking are more readily accessible (diagnosis before the age of 12 months is rare, for example).

Coping with ataxic cerebral palsy

Due to the erratic and jerking nature of bodily movements associated with ataxic cerebral palsy (and with all types of cerebral palsy), treatments are aimed at reducing “clumsiness” and improving the child’s ability to perform deliberate tasks.

Treatments such as resistance and strength training, occupational therapies, medications (including muscle relaxants), speech therapy, and other physical therapies are known to bring about some change in the child’s ability to interact with the world (stem cell transplants is also an emerging area of treatment).

The pay-off of therapies includes:

Increased mobility
Increased balanced
Improvement in grip and the ability to manipulate objects
Improvement in behavioral patterns
A noted reduction in uncontrolled movements and tremors

7 Daily Habits to Maintain a Tidy Home

No matter where you live, it’s crucial that you try and keep your home as tidy as possible.

Keeping your home neat isn’t a matter of vanity. If you don’t maintain a tidy home, you and your family can experience all sorts of adverse physical and mental issues. Thus, you must learn how to maintain your home correctly.

Maintaining a tidy home isn’t about thoroughly cleaning your house once it’s time to do a deep clean. To help keep a tidy home, it is all about the habits that you develop over time.

These daily habits can help reduce your workload when it comes time to deep clean your house. It also keeps your home hygienic daily.

For the maintenance of your home, make sure that you practice these seven daily habits:

Make your bed

A lot of people emphasize starting your day right and for a good reason. The simple things that you start your day with will affect how you feel for the rest of the day.

For example, if you do something productive early in the morning, you will feel more motivated to be productive for the rest of the day.

On that note, the simple act of making your bed is going to help you be more productive and come back to a tidy bedroom. Making your bed shouldn’t take you more than three minutes, so there is no excuse not to make your bed in the morning.

Sweep regularly

Sweeping your floors will also help you build up a tidy home.

If your floors are cluttered and dirty, it’s going to make your home feel smaller than it is. Therefore, you should build up the habit of sweeping your floors regularly.

Sweeping your floors often is going to reduce the buildup of dirt all over your floors. This task is also especially important if you have pets running around your house.

In addition, it will build up the habit of reducing clutter around the room since you don’t want to move things around when you have to sweep often.

Clean as you cook

Any professional chef will tell you that one of the most important things to keep track of when you cook would be the cleanliness of your workspace.

Whenever you cook, make sure that you clear your countertops away as often as possible. You should also make sure that you leave cookware that you‘re no longer using in the sink.

Everybody knows how challenging it is to get up and do chores after you just had a full meal. By cleaning up as you cook, you already reduce the workload that you have to deal with after you finish eating and cooking.

Wipe surfaces after use

Another habit that you should develop would be the practice of wiping surfaces after you use them.

It doesn’t matter what type of surface it may be. It could be your bathroom sink to your kitchen countertops.

What’s important is that you get the habit of wiping the surfaces after use to keep things hygienic.

Have a place for everything

Having a specific place for everything in your home makes it a lot easier for you to declutter and organize your items. It doesn’t have to be super precise as long as you know where each place is going to be once you keep them away.

Having a place for everything doesn’t only make your house look clean, but it will be convenient for you to find these items when you need them.

Do a load of laundry a day

Instead of waiting until the end of the week to do your laundry, it’s better to do a laundry a day.

You won’t have to be intimidated by the piles and piles of clothes that you need to clean and wash. Plus, you always have fresh clothes available in your closet when you do a load of laundry a day.

Perform an evening tidy up

At the end of every day, try to go around each room. Look for any items that you can quickly remove or any cleaning tasks that you can easily accomplish.

By doing this before you go to bed, you don’t wake up to a mess. Plus, it’s easier to remember to do since it’s something you do before you go to bed.

Wrap Up

Maintaining a tidy home isn’t glamorous. It’s a job that only you and the people who live in the house will appreciate.

It’s all about building daily habits that reinforce the tidiness of your home. The seven daily habits listed above are but a few of the many things you can do to maintain a tidy home. As everything becomes a routine for you, it will become easier to think of other daily cleaning habits that you can incorporate.

Remember to keep things clean and sanitized, especially nowadays, so that you and your family will remain safe and healthy.

About the Author:

Jacky Xu is the Chief Operating Officer for Maid Sailors Cleaning Service Chicago. Maid Sailors take pride in providing unparalleled cleaning services at affordable prices. Maid Sailors help transform your house into a home.

Benefits of Infrared Sauna for New Moms

The body needs a lot of healing after child birth. Infrared sauna can help new moms in many ways. In fact, as per studies, it can combat a lot of symptoms such as chronic joint and muscle pain, anxiety, fatigue, and inflammation that are experienced by women during the post-partum period. Here is how beneficial an infrared sauna can be if you are a new mom:

It improves circulation

Infrared sauna emits gentle radiant heat that can penetrate your skin and raise your body temperature by about 3 degrees Fahrenheit. This can increase the blood circulation in your body significantly. It counteracts all the poor circulation problems such as swollen feet and hands you experienced during your pregnancy. It can also heal up the wounds of a cesarean surgery.

It gives a cardio vascular boost

The intense fatigue associated with early motherhood might make it tough for you to access any form of cardia such as exercise or jogging. But with an infrared sauna, you can achieve the same impact of an intense workout. The cardiovascular boost that this gives is equivalent to that of a light jog or a brisk walk.

It improves milk production

Circulation of infrared in your body can help unclog ducts or mastitis if any. This is one of the problems nursing mothers face which can be extremely painful. Infrared sauna is a gentle way of treating this problem. Alternatively, you can also use a hot wash cloth or soak your breast in a bowl of hot water

It alleviates inflammation

Mild systematic inflammation is quite common in all pregnancies. Left untreated, it can even lead to complications such as pre-eclampsia. Mild infrared light coming from the infrared sauna has the power to penetrate through your tissue and reduce the inflammation in a healthy way.

It reduces Fatigue and Pain

All new moms experience pain and fatigue during post-partum period. Pushing your body to its limits will have its effects even if you haven’t faced much of that childbirth trauma. But there is nothing a couple of infrared sauna sessions cannot take care of. In fact, one session of this infrared therapy can help you experience a 70 percent reduction in your pain level.

It minimizes depression and anxiety

Infrared therapy is said to release endorphins in your brain that can help you combat anxiety, depression, and any other mental disorder that you may be facing. You can also use it as a preventative measure to reduce your chances of post-partum depression and anxiety.

If you are still wondering why you should buy a full spectrum infrared sauna, understand that an infrared sauna session can be deeply healing. It gives you that “me time” that you can use to care for yourself and indulge in some self-pampering. After all, it can be really tiring and exhausting to take care of a newborn with absolutely no time for yourself.

Buying a full spectrum infrared sauna can be very beneficial to a new mom like you. Nevertheless, make it a point to drink enough water to replenish your body. Make sure you get your heavy metal levels tested before going for a session.

Great Ways to Make Your Home Safer for Your Family

Not even in our wildest dreams (or nightmares) did any of us expect the current situation: a pandemic of the dangerous virus, social distancing, quarantine, and shortage of toilet paper. While there aren’t many things that we can do but practice caution and wash our hands more often, we should take our own safety seriously. All of us happen to be spending more time at home than ever before and this is the reason why we should make an effort to make it a lot safer. Here’s how you can do just that:

Change your habits

You wouldn’t believe how reckless people are when they feel comfortable. After a while, we all get lulled in the sense of security in our neighborhoods and let our guards down. As nice as it is not to feel worried all the time, you should still adopt some good habits and be more alert. Locking your doors is a must, as well as locking your garage and back doors. Do this even if you’re only going out for five or ten minutes. Also, it’s a good idea to keep your valuables out of sight; you don’t want people who look through your window to notice how many valuable pieces you have in your house. Keep such things in a safe or in a safe and inconspicuous hiding place.

Light up your garden

When you light up your backyard and your garden, you are instantly making your property more secure. This is a great way to show off how beautiful your garden is and how good your gardening skills are, but more importantly, you will be able to see if there’s anything or anyone suspicious outside. Romantic fairy lights may look lovely, but aren’t exactly useful, so try to get lights that work as motion sensors too. While these might light up when there’s a dog or a cat walking through your garden, they will also alert you if anyone approaches your home in the night. Of course, you will have to test them regularly to be sure they are working properly and replace the burnt-out bulbs.

Secure your doors

We already mentioned the importance of locking your doors, but now we’d like to talk a bit more about door security. Do a quick inspection to ensure that all of your door frames are strong and that your hinges are protected. In case your door has a small slot, you have to make sure that nobody can reach in and unlock them. Luckily, there are many ways you can additionally secure your door, like installing a deadbolt or smart locks. If you notice some lock problems, don’t try to fix it on your own – professional lock repair service is a much better and safer choice. Also, you could add a video doorbell because that way, you don’t have to come up to the front door at all to see who’s out there.

Install security cameras

Speaking of video doorbells, security cameras for your property are probably one of the best investments you are going to make. Not only will burglars be deterred by cameras, but those who still dare to come close to your home will have evidence against their foul behavior, and you will have the means to bring them to justice. The simplest way is to have cameras that are already a part of a security system, but you can also get some that work on their won. Whatever you decide to do, try to get cameras that have a mobile app as well, so you can access it from your phone at all times. If you’re planning on installing cameras outside, they should have motion detectors so they don’t record when nothing’s going on, and their casing should be weatherproof to protect them from the elements.

Adapt your windows

While people are usually very careful about locking and securing their downstairs windows, they don’t do the same with their upstairs ones. Even if it would take a lot of effort to reach the upstairs windows from the ground, you shouldn’t leave them unprotected. If you like to open up your windows because it gets stuffy and hot inside during warmer months, it might be a better idea to get different windows: awning, casement, or slider ones, and to do a bit of research to see what are the best ways to secure them so they can’t be opened from the outside. Also, you can install window security bars because these are inexpensive and efficient.

Setting up security measures in your home is by far less fun and exciting as it is to decorate it, but it is essential nonetheless. When you are confident that your home is secured, you will feel better and be able to relax and enjoy the time you’ll be spending indoors. Fear and stress are terrible companions, and even though this is a difficult time for all of us who aren’t used to being indoors for so long, there are many things you can do to turn your home into a real safe haven.

Get the Best Outdoor Furniture Covers – an Easy Buying Guide

Home décor doesn’t just involve investing in furniture. Homeowners need to invest in getting the best furniture covers as well. It would be best if you said yes to covers that can resist the elements. It will help to secure the furniture from the wind, sun, and rain and also make sure that the furniture looks stellar. It will also add value to your outdoor furniture investment.

However, you need to know that all outdoor furniture covers don’t get designed equally. It is essential to ensure that you get the correct covers for your furniture. Discussed below are a few tips that will help you to choose smart and wise.

The different cover types

It would be best if you chose from the multiple cover types. The crucial ones to choose from are:

1. The custom-made covers

It is a perfect choice for most homeowners who want to keep their patio and outdoor furniture clean and well-maintained. These covers get designed for a specific furniture size. It gets designed, keeping in mind your precise requirements. Hence, it just might be slightly expensive, but it certainly is of high-quality and is durable.

2. Versatile covers

Not every homeowner wants simple outdoor covers for their patio! Homeowners have unique tastes in outdoor furniture and want impressive covers as well. Some people want to opt-in for the versatile covers that help them to alternate styles. You can count on the online service providers for this.

3. Universal covers

Even though there’s no one size fits all in outdoor furniture covers; still, it is one of the popular choices you have today. Usually, these covers get designed with inclusive dimensions that cater to most outdoor umbrellas and furniture.

The crucial questions to ponder on

Before you say yes to the outdoor furniture covers, you need to consider a few questions. The four important ones are:

1. Is it water repellent?

There are furniture covers that get designed with an outer polyester shell as well as a water-resistant PVC layer. It guarantees excellent performance during scorching sun heat, bitter cold, and heavy rain.

2. Are the cover seams reinforced?

At times, it’s the hidden details that make a complete difference. When you scan the cover carefully, you will notice that it has double-stitched seams. It might not affect the finished look of the covers; it can prevent the cover from ripping apart even after constant use for years.

3. Are the covers vented?

Fresh air takes away mildew and mould. So, you can choose covers that come with the secure flaps on all the covers. It helps in proper air circulation while averting water from getting in and causing furniture damage.

4. Is it secure?

The best outdoor furniture cover is of no use if it fails to perform with the first elemental blow, i.e., strong wind or a torrential downpour. You can opt-in for covers that use drawstrings, elastic edging along with reinforced ties that securely hold the sheets during harsh weather conditions.

Now that you are aware of the cover types and the questions you need to consider; you can make an informed decision. You can also compare the product quality and price to get a correct idea about the cover that will cater to your requirements.

What Is the Difference Between Alimony and Child Support?

Are you trying to figure out the difference between alimony and child support? If yes, you should check out our guide here to learn how they compare.

Did you know that the rate of divorce in the United States is 2.9 cases per 1,000 population?

If you were recently part of this divorce statistic and are dealing with things like alimony and child support, you might be feeling overwhelmed. Some people use the words interchangeably, but there is a difference between alimony and child support.

Keep reading to learn more about alimony vs. child support.

Alimony

This refers to the money paid by the ex-spouse that was the “breadwinner.” The breadwinner pays their ex a certain amount to help cover any unjust division of assets. The court system decides on the final amount, depending on income and local laws.

Once the amount is finalized, it can never change no matter if finance situations change in the future. With alimony, the ex-spouse that receives the money will have to pay tax on this because it is considered an income stream.

The person paying the alimony also has the right to write off the amount they pay in their taxes.

Alimony money, unlike child support, can be used for whatever the ex-spouse wants to use it for. Child support, on the other hand, has to be used solely for the care of the child or children.

Child Support

Child support payments, unlike alimony payments, are paid to help support the parent that has custody over the children. The court decides what these payments are, depending on how often each parent is with the child, both parent’s incomes, and any other local laws that apply.

One major difference between child support and alimony is that this money is not taxable. The parent that receives child support does not get charged taxes on the amount. Nor is the parent paying the child support allowed to write the amount off in their taxes.

Another difference is that the amount received can change. If the parent paying loses a job, they can request a change in child support payment. Same if the parent starts making more money, the other parent can go back to court to request a higher payment amount.

If an ex-spouse does not pay child support or stops paying, the receiving parent has the right to request child support enforcement . This will hold the parent that stopped paying, liable. Child support payments typically continue until the child turns 18 or 21 based on what the state laws are in your area.

Now You Know the Difference Between Alimony and Child Support

Now that you know the difference between alimony and child support, you can consult an attorney in your area that is familiar with local laws and divorce cases. They will be an invaluable source of information during these stressful times because they will know the best course of action for you to take when it comes to requesting alimony or child support.

Did this article help you today? Come back soon and never miss our latest blog posts.

Questions about Your Child’s Car Seat? Discover these Child Safety Seat Tips

Do you worry that your child’s car seat doesn’t fit properly? Or do you find yourself concerned that it won’t react the way it’s supposed to in the event of a crash? As a parent, your child’s safety is in your hands, and placing them in a car seat is the best option for keeping them safe and protected whilst driving in your car.

Sadly, many parents fail to install and fit their child’s car seat correctly, compromising their child’s safety without even realizing. So, when they’re in a crash their child could be seriously injured. Click the link to find a personal injury lawyer. The amount of information out there can be incredibly overwhelming and when you’re worried about your child’s car seat and their safety, it’s not always helpful.

So, with this in mind, I’ve gathered some simple child safety seat tips for you to consider.

Go back to the store

If you’re really concerned about the way your child’s seat is fitted, head back to the store you bought it from. If the store in question provides a fitting service, then they’ll happily check the seat in question and give you a little refresher on how to fit it safely. If your child has grown and the seat grows with them, it’s worth having an expert show you for future reference.

Too much clothing

In the winter months, it’s normal to sit in the car with coats on until we warm up. However, placing your child in their seat with their thick coat on could be endangering their life. A winter coat is too thick for the straps to perform correctly which means there won’t be enough tension. Making severe injuries likely in the event of a crash. Light clothing only should be worn whilst in a car seat. Cover your child with a blanket until the car warms up again.

Fix a wobbly seat

Seats should never move more than one inch when they’re fitted correctly. So, a seat that moves around loosely even with your child in it, is cause for concern. This is usually caused by the seatbelt not being pulled tight enough. So, when fitting the seat, pull the belt as tight as possible to gauge the right amount of tension. If the seat is still moving, consult the fitting instructions – there may be an error with how it is fitted.

Again, if you’re still concerned, take your seat back to the store you bought it from, or consider some YouTube videos for guidance.