How to Install a Baby Seat Correctly
A baby seat is a crash-tested, regulated seat which protects children in the event of a collision.
Infant seats should be facing rearwards until the child reaches the maximum weight or height permitted by its manufacturer.
Easy Installation
Car seats must pass rigorous safety tests before they can be sold however even the most secure seat could be unsafe if it's not installed correctly. It is therefore one of the most important aspects to look out for when buying car seats. It is important to spend the time to understand how to install the seat in your car and to practice the installation prior to when the baby is born.
The first thing you must do is read the manual for your car seat. You can skip the Table of Contents and head to the index and locate the "child safety seat" section--the exact instructions for installing your car seat will depend on the make and model, but all cars have a specific area in the rear where children's seats can be placed.
Check if your car has LATCH and what lower anchors are available. Different seats require different anchors. The most suitable infant car seats will feature a system that is user-friendly, with clear instructions and a color-change indicator to indicate when the lower anchors are connected properly. A lot of models click when locked properly and is a great way to confirm the safety of the seat.
If you want to go above and beyond look into buying a seat that has an easy-to-install base that has load legs for additional security. This prevents the seat from being a projectile in a crash, and also prevents it from tipping over during the braking. It is also important to take into consideration the weight of the base and the seat. You don't want a large and bulky seat that is too heavy to carry.
If you're unsure how to install your child safety seat, you may be able to ask for guidance from a certified child safety technician. They are trained to teach parents and caregivers the correct way to install car seats. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also maintains a list inspection stations.
Easy of Use
A baby seat is known as an infant car seat or safety seat. It is designed to safeguard and cradle the smallest of children. They typically have an adjustable base that is buckled in the vehicle and snaps in and out to be used as a car seat or a convertible seat. A lot of them are light and come with stroller attachments that permit parents or caregivers to take the child from one vehicle to the next without waking them.
Car seats are designed to meet government standards in accordance with the height, weight and age of the child, with the aim of ensuring safety in the event of a collision. These standards, also known as federal motor vehicle safety regulation (FMVSR) are guidelines for manufacturers when designing and testing their products. To be sold in the United States, a seat must pass these tests.
A lot of infant seats, particularly the ones that are less expensive, have a harness and headrest made of plastic. They are designed to absorb some of the force generated by a crash by crumpling and dispersing the force. The more expensive models could utilize soft, more flexible foam, which can better shield the child's body from the shock of a collision. EPS foam is commonly used in safety products that must be light and resistant to impact, such as helmets and car seats.
A good quality car seat should have a 5-point harness that is connected at the shoulders, hips and between the legs. It should also include a top tether that will keep the child safe in the event of a collision. The straps should be equipped with an option that allows them to be tightened and loosened. This can be done by pressing the button or pulling a lever located between the knees of the child.
If you intend to travel with your car seat often, you should check that it will fit other vehicles within your family also. There are guides from manufacturers online that show how their seats fit in various family cars. This process can be made simpler by using Isofix connectors. These connectors are built into seats and connect to the anchor points of the vehicle with a one click.
Safety
A car seat is among the best ways to keep children safe. Parents do their best to shield their children from illnesses, bullying and sports injuries. A child restraint system lowers the risk of injury by more than 70% when compared to unrestrained adults -- but only if utilized correctly. Unfortunately, according to some Canadian and American studies, 73 percent of car seats are incorrectly used.
Selecting a car seat that has 5-point harness is one of the best ways to help ensure that your child will be secured in the event of an accident. The 5-point harness can help distribute the impact force over a larger part of the body. This decreases the chance of injuries. The harness also keeps the car seat securely in place, which means it won't move often during a collision, and increase your child's risk of injury.
Additionally, the top car seats for infants come with a well-padded seat to cushion your child and provide plenty of head support. Some even have special energy-absorbing foam and other features that protect your baby's head and chest in a side impact accident.
When you are shopping for a car seat, avoid buying or borrowing one from garage sales, flea markets, and second-hand stores because you can't know the history of the car seat or whether it's been involved in crash. Also, avoid using a seat that's more than six years old.
Before installing a child's seat ensure that the latch is secured and that the straps are secure. Don't let your child wear bulky clothes when they are in the seat. The fabric could compress during an accident, leaving the straps on the harness loose. This increases your child's injury risk.
You'll require a booster or convertible seat when your child has reached the height and weight limit of an infant seat. click here for info for the seat will list recommended weights and ages.
Reliability
A child safety seat or a baby car seat is a crash tested device that is used to hold infants and children in cars. The seat secures a child using a safety harness. Some models cradle them and move with them in the event of a crash, which reduces the stress on necks and spine cords. It is vital that the child's seat fits correctly into your vehicle and is used correctly every time you drive.
Parents could benefit from a system that detects unintended effects of medical or consumer products, like car seats. Similar to phase IV trials that examine the unknown side effects of pharmaceuticals after they are sold in a way, such a system could gather data from physicians who diagnose injuries caused by car seats and encourage users to report problems to Transport Canada (9).
Read the manual before installing your child's seat. A lot of car seats come with guides that show you how to install the seat in your vehicle. Many manufacturers also provide online tutorials. If you share your vehicle or traveling with other family members frequently, consider getting a baby seat with Isofix connectors built in for easier installation.
If you own an older car seat or second-hand one, ensure that it has not been involved in any recent moderate or serious crashes. Make sure that the car seat has not been damaged or removed from the market. Read the instructions carefully to ensure that the child is able to sit straight and that their knees can be bent easily over the edge of the seat, and that they are able to wear a shoulder strap and an un-level lap belt on their hips.
Some children have special needs or physical or behavioral conditions that require a specially-designed car seat designed specifically for their needs. The only safe method of transporting these children is to use an appropriate car seat designed for them and installed properly. For more information, contact your pediatrician or the local public health program.