Dr. Molly’s Summer Safety Guide: Car Seat Best Practices + Swim Readiness Tips

Meet Dr. Molly

Dr Molly O’Shea has been a practicing pediatrician in Metro Detroit for over 30 years and is the O-fish-al Pediatrician for Goldfish Swim Schools. Dr Molly is also an official spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, interviewed weekly on air and for print publications on topics including vaccines, mental health, tech and kids, and parenting. She recently became a grandma and loves seeing parenting through new eyes.

Before You Hit the Road: Keeping Your Car Seat Safe, Clean & Ready for Adventure

A day at the beach or pool often comes with the best kind of chaos — wet swimsuits, sandy toes, sunscreen-covered hands, and sleepy little passengers ready for the ride home. Before buckling in, a few simple steps can help keep your child safe, comfortable, and your gear ready for whatever adventure comes next.

Start with a proper fit every time

Whether your child is riding in an infant car seat or convertible car seat, a properly fitted harness helps keep them secure. Before hitting the road:

1. Position your child correctly: Make sure their back and bottom are fully supported against the seat and remove bulky layers before buckling.
2. Secure the harness snugly: Straps should lie flat against your child with no slack, and the chest clip should sit at armpit level.
3. Do a quick check: Make sure buckles are fastened and the car seat is installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

For a helpful car seat checklist on securing your child, visit here.

Ready for rides with grandparents, caregivers, and more

Summer adventures don’t always happen in your own car. Whether a grandparent is picking your child up from swim lessons or a nanny is heading to the beach, flexibility matters.

Our UPPAbaby Mesa® and Aria™ infant car seats feature European belt routing, allowing for a secure baseless installation. This gives families added flexibility when switching vehicles, traveling, or riding with caregivers.

Built for real-life summer messes

From pool days to beach trips, car seats experience it all — wet swimsuits, sand, sunscreen, and all the snacks. That’s why UPPAbaby car seat fabrics are designed with cleanup in mind.

All UPPAbaby car seat fabrics are removable and washable, making it easier to refresh your child’s ride after everyday adventures. The Rove™ convertible car seat also features a removable seat pan that zips off, helping parents easily clean hard-to-reach areas where messes can collect.

Wondering how to clean a car seat? Always start by checking your car seat’s user manual for approved cleaning instructions. Different parts of the seat require different care, so following the recommended steps helps keep your car seat working as intended. For help on cleaning your UPPAbaby gear, visit here.

Pack for the unexpected

A towel for wet swimsuits, a change of clothes, wipes, and a bag for damp gear can make the transition from summer fun to the ride home much smoother. Because the best adventures don’t end when you leave the pool — they continue all the way home.

Before You Hit the Pool: Keeping Your Little Ones Safe, Confident & Ready for the Water

Swim safety seems obvious at first: keep your baby in your arms when you’re in the water. As children start to get mobile though, it’s important to keep some other swim safety tips in mind. Any child that can roll or scoot to the end of the crib can find their way to water.

Dr. Molly’s 8 Summer Safety Non-Negotiables

1. Close toilet lids
2. Stay in the bathroom when filling and draining the tub
3. Empty baby pools and turn them over every time you take a break (even for lunch!)
4. Start swim lessons as early as possible (by 1 year for sure!) and continue them year-round to solidify water safety skills
5. Choose a Coast Guard approved life jacket over floaties, rings, or any other floatation device – it’s the only one that actually saves lives
6. Always designate an adult to watch the children near water (even if they aren’t swimming!) Pass off the job every 10 minutes or so because the person needs to be focused on the kids and nothing else
7. Close gates and/or put on pool covers or alarms when available every time you leave the pool area
8. Teach kids they can never swim without an adult present

 

A Safe Summer Is a Fun Summer

Between the car rides, pool days, and everything in between, summer keeps families busy. The good news: keeping kids safe doesn’t take much — a properly fitted car seat, an adult always watching near the water, and swim skills built early and practiced often. Take care of the basics, and the rest of the season is all about the fun.