How to Install a Baby Seat Correctly
A baby seat is a crash tested and regulated seat that protects children in the event of a car collision.
Babies should ride in rear-facing infant seats until they reach the weight limit or height that is set by the manufacturer of their seat.
Easy Installation
Even the best car seats can be dangerous if not installed correctly. Installation is easy, which is one of the most important factors to look for when buying car seats. It's crucial to spend the time to understand how to install the seat in your vehicle and to practice the installation before the baby is born.
The first step is to go through the manual for your car seat. You can skip the table of contents and head straight to the index. Find the "child safety seats" section. The exact directions will vary based on the make and model of your vehicle, but most have a specific place in the back for child seats.
Make sure your vehicle is equipped with a LATCH system and what lower anchors are available. Different types of seats require different anchors. The most suitable infant car seats will have a system that's user-friendly with clear instructions and an indicator that changes color to let you know when the lower anchors are properly connected. A lot of models will sound when properly locked, which is another excellent way to ensure that the seat is secure.
If you're looking to go above and beyond look into buying a seat that has an easy-to-install base with a load leg for added security. This prevents the seat from being a projectile in a crash, and also prevents it from tipping during brakes. In addition, you need to take into consideration the weight of the seat and base together. You don't want a heavy or bulky seat to be too difficult to carry.
If you are unsure of the best way to install your child's safety seat, you may consider asking for guidance from an accredited child safety technician. They are trained to teach parents and caregivers the correct method of installing car seats. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also keeps a list of inspection stations.
Simple to 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. Many are designed with a base which can be used as an adjustable seat or a carrier. The base is usually a buckled base that stays in the vehicle. They are often lightweight and have stroller attachments that allow parents or caregivers to move their sleeping child from one vehicle to the next without disturbing them up.
The government sets standards for car seats that are based on height, weight, and age to ensure children are safe in an accident. These standards, also known as the federal motor vehicle safety regulation (FMVSR), serve as 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 those that are priced lower include a harness as well as a headrest made of plastic. They are designed to absorb a portion of the impact from the crash by crushing and dissipating the force. The higher-end models may use a softer and more flexible foam that will better shield the child from the shock. It is a typical material used in safety equipment that need to be lightweight and resistant to impact, such as helmets and car seats.
A good quality car seat should come with a 5-point harness that connects at the shoulders, hips and between the legs. It should also have the top tether, which will ensure that the child is safe in the event of an impact. The straps must have an instrument to tighten and loosen them. This is accessible via an on the seat or by pulling a lever between the child's legs.
Check that the car seat will fit in the other vehicles in your family If you intend to use it frequently. Some manufacturers have guides online that show how their seats will fit in different family vehicles. The use of Isofix connectors that are built into the seat and connect to the anchor points of the vehicle with just a single click, could make this process even easier.
Safety
A car seat is among the best ways to protect children. Parents are constantly working to shield their children from illnesses as well as injuries from bullying and sports. A child restraint system reduces the risk of injuries by more than 70% compared with unrestrained adults, however, it's only effective when it is used properly. Unfortunately, some Canadian and American studies report that 73% of car seats are used in a way that isn't.
The best way to ensure your child or toddler is secure in the event of an accident to select a car seat with a 5-point safety harness. The 5-point harness assists in spread the force of a collision over a larger part of the body. infant car seats that swivel pushchairsandprams reduces the likelihood of injuries. The harness also holds the car seat securely in place, ensuring it won't move much during a crash and increase your child's risk of injury.
The best infant car seats also have a well padded seat that cushions your child and provides plenty of head support. Some come with energy-absorbing foam or other features to safeguard your baby's chest and head in the event of a collision with a car.
Avoid buying or borrowing a car seat from garage sales, flea market or second-hand shops because you don't know the history of the seat or if it's been in an accident. Do not use carseats older than six years old.
Before installing a child's seat, ensure that the latch is securely fastened and the straps are secure. Don't allow your child to wear bulky clothes when they are in the seat. The fabric can compress in an accident, which can leave the straps on the harness loose. This increases the chance of injury for your child.
You'll need a booster or convertible seat after your child is past the weight and height limit of an infant seat. The manual of the seat will provide recommended weights and ages.
Reliability
A child safety seat or a car seat is a crash-tested device that can be used to secure infants and children in cars. The device secures children using a safety harness. Some models allow them to be cradled and move with them in an accident, in order to lessen stress on the delicate necks and spine cords. It is crucial that the baby seat fits correctly in your vehicle and is used correctly every time you drive with no extra products attached.
Parents would benefit from a system that detects unintended consequences of consumer or medical products, like car seats. A system like this could collect information from doctors who treat injuries from car seats and also encourage patients to reach out to Transport Canada (9).
Whether you use the LATCH (lower attachment) or the belt of your vehicle to secure your child's car seat, be sure to check the manual to ensure it's done right. Many car seats come with instructions that guide you on how to install the seat in your vehicle. A lot of manufacturers offer online tutorials. Consider buying a car seat with Isofix connectors if sharing your vehicle, or frequently travel with family members.
If you own an older or second-hand car seat, make sure it has not been involved in no recent severe or moderate crashes. Verify that it hasn't been recalled or damaged, and go through the instruction manual thoroughly to make sure the child can sit straight and flex their knees easily over the front edge of the seat and that they can safely wear a lap belt low on their hips and a shoulder belt across their chest and mid-chest (9).
Some children have special needs or physical or behavioral conditions that require a customized car seat that is specifically designed for children with special needs. It is recommended to take these children in a seat specially designed for them and installed correctly. For more information, contact your pediatrician or the local public health department.
