Installing and purchasing a baby car seat is likely to outfitting your auto for an excursion to the moon. There are bolts to anchor, buckles and belts to secure and weight limits to support.
Bringing home a new baby is equally exciting and alarming. When you brought your baby home for the first time, you might freak out, and that’s ok! You have a little human that totally depends on you, which is fantastic yet troublesome. As a parent, you want your baby to be safe at all times.
What is a Car Seat?
A car seat is the most important thing to buy and should be on the top of your pre baby shopping checklist. It is a detachable seat with a solid shell, used to transport your baby or child in a vehicle. You won’t be allowed to go home from hospital without a baby car seat. Most of the baby car seats come with a harness to hold your baby in place and seat belts to secure.
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Purchasing a car seat can be confusing; there is so much you need to know. In the U.K, all children are required to use a car seat from birth until 12 years of age. The car seat you purchase needs to meet the requirements of European standards, and your child needs to be in the correct category of car seats according to the age and size.
Read this easy-to-follow guide to car seats and get to know which car seat you buy and how to install it easily.
Car Seats for Infants
When you have your first baby, it will be the best day of your life and the first seat you purchase for your kid is the infant only car seats. These seats are meant to face the back of your vehicle for safety reasons and often come with handles to easily carry them. Infant car seats have a weight limit of 20-30 pounds.
Convertible Car Seats
Convertible car seats face the front or back of the vehicle and if your child is under 1 year, the seat must face the back. You can use them for infants weight around 5 pounds and can also make it forward facing seats when your child grows old. The harness can fits on the children up to 40 pounds.
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Booster Seats
Most children need a booster seats from about age 4 until they reach at least age 8-12 to fit properly into belt. There are two types of booster car seats; a high-back and a low-back booster seat. A high-back booster seat uses the vehicle’s lap belt and provides head and neck support for the child. While a low-back booster seat is for the vehicles that have a built-in head restraint to properly secure the child.
Car Seat Installation
If you do not properly install a car seat correctly, then you can put your child’s safety in danger. Every car seat has different installation instructions. It is necessary to keep in mind the important instructions when you install a car seat. Carefully read the instruction written on the manual.
Every car seat is installed by using the seat belt or the lower anchors of the LATCH system to secure it in place. Make sure that the car seat must be secured properly in the vehicle. It should not move front to back or side to side more than 1 inch when pulled at the belt path.
Choose the Right Car Seat
Child seats are designed to save lives. It’s an important part of car safety. The risk of dying in a car accident can reduce to 77% if you properly strapped your child in a car seat. You need to buy a right seat for your child. Don’t get frightened when buying a car seat. You don’t have to purchase the most expensive seat with all the whistles and bells. Only consider these three things: Your baby’s age, weight and height or If the car seat meets safety standards or not.
Check Out the Car Seat Quality
Now as you have the idea which car seat will be best for your baby, but what about the model and brand? Quality is also important when buying a car seat for your baby. Consider the following features while selecting the brand make sure to check the seat has a safety label that meets the standards of Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.It has a five-point harness to protect your baby. Check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s ratings system. Go with the one that’s earned four or five stars. Always buy a new car seat rather than the second hand.
Your baby’s life is precious, and his/her safety will be your first priority. It’s your duty to keep him/her safe from all kind of troubles.
Have a safe traveling!
