Recommendations on baby car seats. Safely transporting children in a vehicles requires that infants be in a rear-facing baby car seat and children be placed in the back seat until age 12. Purchasing an infant...
Purchasing an infant or toddler car seat can be a complicated task since there are a number of styles, types, manufacturers, and price points. Martin Simenc is an expert in the area of child safety and has some advice for parents. Simenc has 15 years experience in the field of safety and risk management and is car seat certified with the National Highway and Transportation Commission.
Simenc's advice begins with the fact that it's absolutely essential to carefully select a seat that fits your child well, fits your vehicle well, and fits your budget. He strongly recommends that parents have the car seat professionally installed to minimize any injuries to your child in the event that there is a serious accident. "It's very important to follow the car seat manufacturer's guidelines as well as the vehicle manufacturer's guidelines to ensure proper installation of your car seat. For all children under 12 years of age, the back seat has been proven to be substantially safer than the front seat. Infants and toddlers should be kept in a rear-facing position in the back seat for as long as the car seat is rated to be in the rear-facing position," says Simenc.
An infant should be placed in a rear-facing car seat until he or she is over one year of age and weighs more than 20 pounds. The child should meet both these requirement, not just one or the other, before graduating to a front-facing car seat. The reason the safety seat is placed in a backwards position is to protect the child's fragile bones and ligaments in the neck region. In the event of a frontal crash this type of car seat will cradle the head and neck areas and keep them from being thrust forward with extreme pressure. The safest position for a rear-facing infant car seat is in the back seat of a vehicle. Never place any car seat in the front seat of a car with airbags. If an airbag were to deploy it may cause serious injury or death to the child in the car seat.
Front-facing car seats are for young children over the age of one year and who weigh 20 pounds or more. These types of car seats will help prevent ejection from a vehicle and/or reduce the force of impact that may result in serious injury should a car crash occur.
Booster seats are to be used by children eight years of age or younger who weigh less than 80 pounds. You may begin using a booster seat when a child reaches 40 pounds, but the child may also wait longer to switch to this type of seat. Check the recommendations for height and weight limits in the product specifications before changing to a new car seat. Booster seats raise the child's body up off the seat so the seat belt is positioned properly and will not cause unnecessary injury if a crash results. They can be secured by either shoulder or lap belts; however, shoulder belts are the preferred method of securing a child in a booster seat. Once the child reaches about eight years of age or 80 pounds they should be able to safely ride in the back seat with a seat belt securely fastened.
The National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) reports that studies show that "four out of five (people) unintentionally make mistakes (installing car seats) that could result in their child being injured or killed in a crash". The use of properly installed car seats will reduce the risk of injuries during a crash. The confusion often comes from the array of car seats on the market that feature different heights, weights, ages, and procedures for installation and use. It is very important to follow the manufacturer's instructions exactly. Many police and fire stations have trained or certified personnel that can inspect and/or help you to correctly install and use your car seat and most do not charge for this service.
It is recommended that only new car seats be used if at all possible. Older car seats may not come with complete instructions, may be subject to product recalls that parent may be unaware of, or may have some unseen damage. Newer car seats have a sticker on them with an expiration date for use. Once the expiration date is reached the plastic or other materials used to make the seat may not withstand the force of an impact well enough to protect the child. Many newer car seats have added safety features such as anchors and tethers to hold the seat in a more secure position.
How do you know which car seat is best? The answer is not a simple one and price is not always a good determining factor. When shopping for a car seat you should look for a seat that is comfortable, affordable, and fits the criteria that your child needs such as age and weight requirements. Don't be afraid to strap your child into a seat to see how it fits him or her. This will allow you to adjust buckles and straps to secure a proper fit. Also, make sure the seat is compatible with your car since one size does not fit all. The car seat should not be angled, protrude off the edge of the seat or move freely when strapped into the back seat of the car. Never leave your child alone in the car seat and always secure the child with the proper restraint belts before driving.
If your car seat is involved in any crash with significant impact or damage, the car seat should immediately be replaced. If the accident is minor, such as bumpers hitting in a traffic jam or parking lot, it may not need to be replaced. Always inspect the car seat carefully after any incident to insure no damage or cracks are present in the car seat.
