Are Car Seats Important?
Using a car seat, also called a child safety seat, is the best way to protect your kids when they are in a car. Car crashes are one of the leading causes of death and injury for children. Because car seats save lives, using a car seat is the law in every U.S. state. But keeping your child safe depends on choosing the right safety seat and using it correctly. The best car seat is the one that fits your child’s weight, size, and age, as well as your vehicle.
Here are some things to know so you can pick a seat that’s right for your child:
- Choose a seat that meets or exceeds Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213. The seat’s label will say so.
- Learn how to install the seat and use the harness before your child’s first ride. Do not depend on store displays to show you how to do it.
- To get help or to double-check that you have installed it properly, visit a child car seat inspection station, set up by the federal government across the country. You can also get help from many local health departments, public safety groups, hospitals, law enforcement agencies, and fire departments. Be sure to ask for a certified child passenger safety technician.
Safety Guidelines of Car Seat Convertible:
Choosing a baby car seat can be complicated. It involves getting a seat that suits your child’s age, weight, and size. The seat must also comply with relevant laws in your area. Moreover, it should have the best safety features. Such features reduce injury risks by about 71 percent and death by 28 percent. The process of installing a baby car seat can also be overwhelming especially for beginner parents of babies and toddlers. The Cosco Scenera NEXT installation guide can help newbie parents on how to properly and efficiently install car seats with their easy to follow step-by-step procedure guide. Their process also includes illustrations that aid parents to visualize the correct manner of installing the car seats.
Let’s take a look at the different safety features for Car Seat Convertibles:
- Harness Straps and Yokes
Securing your small baby in the car is the first priority. Thus, when you go to the store, ask for a seat with a five-point harness system. It wraps around the hips, locks between the legs, and secures the shoulders. Take care when strapping in the baby to ensure the straps are not loose or tight. You don’t want to inadvertently hurt the baby or hinder their blood flow with tight straps. Loose straps are also bad because the baby may be thrown around. Put a finger under the straps to make sure there’s a bit of space.
- Lateral Headrests and Neck Pillows
Babies can suffer from shaken baby syndrome in a car accident. Some effects of this include brain swelling, bleeding, seizures, and paralysis. As such, you should ask for a seat with lateral headrests and neck pillows. The headrests cushion the baby’s head while the neck pillows secure the head and spine. This prevents the abrupt jerking motions that cause injuries and pain.
- Chest Pads and Impact Protection Shields
Modern baby car seats have chest pads. It’s a bar-like shield across the chest area that prevents lurching forward. This shield absorbs and disperses forces during an accident. This reduces the risk of injury to the baby.
- Side Wings and Side Impact Protection
Accidents don’t always happen from the front. Thereby, look for a seat with side wings and side impact protection pads. These maintain the baby’s body alignment to protect the head and spine. It has energy-absorbing foams to redistribute crash forces.
- Latch System to Anchor the Baby Seat
Driving with objects moving around in the car is dangerous. More so if your baby is in one of those objects. Luckily, baby seats come with latch hooks to anchor them to the car seat. Try to shake the seat a bit to be sure it is anchored properly.
In summary, finding a comfortable seat with great features will keep your baby safe. You will lower potential risks of injury during driving or in case of an accident. Moreover, you can also get seats with removable fabrics to maintain hygiene. Remember to get a seat that suits the child’s physical characteristics. Also, consider getting adjustable seat options to enable long-term use.