Manageable Car Seats
Originally published in Arthritis Today

by Mary Ann Dunkin

Fastening and unfastening infant or toddler car safety seats can be a feat even for parents with the best manual dexterity. You may find yourself thinking, "Do they purposely make these things difficult to deal with?" 

To keep your tots safe, car seats must be approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This means including a certain amount of difficulty to fasten and unfasten. "In NHTSA tests, belts and buckles must withstand a certain amount of pressure not to disengage; therefore, it takes a certain amount of pressure to operate the buttons," says Sara Jane Marks, of Graco Century, a manufacturer of car seats.

Experts say some types of car seats may be easier to operate than others if you have arthritis. "Try fastening and unfastening difficult models before you buy," advises Pam Harrell, a hand therapist in Nashville, Tenn. Some parents with arthritis prefer the shield model, which pulls over the head and has a rigid triangular-shaped front, she says. "People find that easier because they can use the palm of their hand to fasten it, rather than having to push and pinch with their fingers." 

When it comes to releasing the belts, Harrell recommends using an assistive device designed for opening push-button-style car doors (available in most medical supply stores and catalogs). Alternatively, you can make a device yourself from a wooden dowel with a rubber tip attached. Just grip the handle of your device, press the car seat's release button with the rubber tip and presto.

Finally, if you find you just can't fasten your child into his seat when your hands are flaring, try enlisting the help of a family member or neighbor. Teach an older toddler to climb in and fasten himself in his own seat. If all else fails, stay home. After all, keeping your child safe is more important than any car ride. For more tips, visit: www.safekid.org and www.nhtsa.dot.gov.