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.
Infant seats should be rear-facing until the child reaches the maximum weight or height permitted by its manufacturer.
Installation Ease
Car seats must pass stringent safety tests to be sold however even the most secure seat could be dangerous if it's not installed correctly. Easy installation is therefore one of the most important factors to look out for when buying a car seat. It's worth taking the time to study the right method of installation for your particular vehicle and to practice installing the seat in a secure empty car prior to when baby arrives (or if you have already a toddler).
The first step is to go through the manual for your car seat. You can skip the table of contents and proceed to the index. Find the "child safety seats" section. The exact instructions will differ based on the brand and model of your vehicle, however the majority of them have a designated area in the back of the vehicle for children's seats.
You'll also want to consider whether your car is equipped with LATCH and what kind of anchors it has for lower, as some seats use different types. The best infant car seats will come with clear instructions with a color-changing indicator as well as an easy system to use. Many models will make a click when they're properly secured, which is a method to verify that the seat is secure.
If you're looking to increase your safety, buy seats that have an easy-to install base and a load leg. This will keep the seat from becoming an object of destruction in the event of a crash, and also prevents it from tipping over during brakes. It is also important to think about the combined weight of the base and the seat. If you're planning to transport the seat or take it to Grandma's place frequently, a light-weight design is crucial; you don't want to be lugging around an extra-heavy, bulky package.
If you're not sure how to install your car seat, it could be beneficial to seek guidance from a trained child passenger safety technician. They are trained to teach parents and caregivers the correct way to install car seats. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also keeps a list of inspection stations.
Easy of Use
A baby seat is called an infant car seat or safety seat. It is designed to safeguard and hold the smallest of children. They usually have a base that stays 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 disturbing them.
Car seats are designed to meet government standards based on the weight, height and age of the child, with the intention of ensuring their safety in the event of a collision. These standardizations, called federal motor vehicle safety regulations (FMVSR) are the guidelines that guide manufacturers as they develop and test 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 come with a harness and headrest constructed of plastic. It is designed to absorb a portion of the impact of an accident by crumpling and dispersing the force. Higher end models can use soft and flexible foam that can better protect the child from the shock. EPS foam is commonly utilized in safety products that must be light and resistant to impact, such as car seats and helmets.
A good car seat should include a 5-point harness that is connected at the hips, shoulders and between the legs. It should also have an over-tether that keeps the child secure in the event of a frontal collision. The straps should be equipped with a device to tighten and loosen them. It is accessible via an on the seat or by pulling an arm between the child's legs.
If infant car seat rear facing intend to travel with the car seat often it is important to ensure that it is compatible with other vehicles within your family as well. Some manufacturers have guides on their websites that show how to install their seats into various family cars. This process can be made simpler with the use of Isofix connectors. These connectors are built into seats and connect to anchor points on the vehicle with just a one click.
Safety
A car seat is one of the best ways to protect children. Parents do their best to shield them from illness as well as injuries from bullying and sports. A child's restraint can cut down the chance of injuries by 70% when in comparison to adults who aren't restrained. But it only works if it is used correctly. However, according to a few Canadian and American studies, 73 percent of car seats are improperly used.
Selecting a car seat that has five-point harness is one of the best ways to help ensure your baby or toddler is secure in the event of a crash. The 5-point harness can help spread the impact force over a larger part of the body. This reduces the likelihood of injury. The harness keeps the car seat in position so that it isn't moved in the event of a collision, thereby increasing the chance of injury for your child.
The best infant car seats come with a comfortable seat that is comfortable for your child and provides plenty of head support. Some of them even come with special energy-absorbing foam as well as other features to protect your baby's head and chest in a side impact accident.
Do not purchase or borrow a car seat from garage sales, flea market or second-hand shops since you don't know the history of the seat or if it was involved in an accident. Also, avoid using a car seat that's older than six years old.
Before installing a child's seat, ensure that the latch is tightened and the straps are secure. Don't allow your child to wear bulky clothes when they are in the seat. The fabric may compress during a crash, leaving the straps on the harness loose. This increases the chance of injury for your child.
You'll require a booster seat or convertible seat when your child is past the weight and height limits of an infant seat. Review the manual of your seat for recommended ages and weights.
Reliability
A child safety seat or a baby car seat is a crash-tested device that is used to hold infants and children in vehicles. The device secures the child with a safety harness. Some models allow them to be cradled and move with them during an accident, in order to lessen stress on the delicate spine cords and necks. It is important that the seat for your baby fits correctly in your vehicle and is used correctly every time you drive with no extra products attached.
A system that identifies and communicates the unintended adverse effects of medical or consumer products, such as car seats - could prove beneficial for parents. A system like this could gather data from doctors who diagnose car seat-related injuries and also encourage patients to reach out to Transport Canada (9).
Whether you use the LATCH (lower attachment) or the belt for your vehicle to install your child's car seat, check the instruction manual to ensure it's done right. Many car seats come with guides that will show you how to integrate the seat into your vehicle and many manufacturers also have online guides. If you're sharing your car or traveling with other family members often, consider getting a baby seat that has Isofix connectors for easier installation.
If you own an older car seat or a second-hand model, ensure it hasn't been involved in any recent moderate or serious crashes. Verify that it hasn't been recalled or damaged, and review the instruction manual carefully to ensure that the child can sit straight, bend their knees easily over the front edge of the seat and that they are able to safely wear a lap strap across their hips, and a shoulder belt across their chest and mid-chest (9).
Certain children have special needs or physical or behavioral conditions that require a specially-designed car seat that is specifically designed for children with special needs. The only safe way to transport these children is to use a seat that is specially designed for them and installed correctly. For more information, please contact your pediatrician or the local public health program.