How to Install a Baby Seat Correctly

A baby seat (also called a child safety seat or infant car seat car seat) is an approved, crash-tested seat that shields children from injury or death in car collisions.

Babies should use rear-facing infant seats until they reach the weight or height limit allowed by their seat's manufacturer.

Installation Ease

Car seats must pass stringent safety tests before being sold However, even the best seat can be unsafe if it's not installed correctly. That's why ease of installation is one of the most important characteristics to look for in car seats. It's worth the effort to study the right installation methods for your specific vehicle, and to practice installing the seat in a safe empty vehicle before your the baby arrives (or in the case of a toddler already).

The first thing you should do is read the instruction manual for your car seat. Skip the table of contents and head straight to the index. Locate the "child safety seats" section. The exact instructions will depend on the make and model of your vehicle, however the majority have a place in the back of the vehicle for child seats.

You'll also want to consider whether your car is equipped with LATCH and what type of lower anchors it comes with in order to determine if certain seats have different kinds of anchors. The most suitable infant car seats will feature a system that is easy to use, with clear instructions and a color-change indicator to inform you that the anchors on the lower side are in good order. Many models click when locked properly and is a great way to confirm the seat's security.

If you're looking to go the extra mile, consider purchasing seats that have an easy-to-install base that has load legs for additional security. This will keep the seat from turning into a projectile in an accident and also prevent it from tipping over during braking. Finally, you'll want to consider the weight of the base and seat together. If you intend to carry the seat around or take it to Grandma's place frequently, a light design is essential. You do not want to carry around a bulky, heavy package.

If you're unsure how to install your child safety seat, you might be able to ask for advice from an accredited child safety technician. They are trained to show parents and caregivers the proper procedure to install car seats. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also maintains a list of inspection stations.

Easy of Use

A baby seat is also called an infant car seat or safety seat. It is designed to safeguard and protect the smallest children. A lot of them are equipped with a base which can be used as a convertible seat or carrier. The base is typically a buckled base that stays in the vehicle. Many are lightweight and come with stroller attachments to allow parents or caregivers to move their sleeping child from one vehicle to the next without disturbing them up.

Car seats are designed to meet federal standards in accordance with the weight, height and age of the child, with the goal of keeping them safe in a crash. These standards, also referred to as the federal motor vehicle safety regulation (FMVSR), serve as guidelines for manufacturers when they are designing and testing their products. To be sold in the United States, a seat must pass these tests.

Many infant car seat travel seats are made of plastic, particularly those that are priced lower. The headrest and harness are designed to absorb the impact of a collision, crumpling the plastic and dissipating the impact. The higher-end models might utilize softer, more flexible foam, which can better protect the body of the child from the shock of the crash. EPS foam is often used in safety equipment that must be lightweight and impact resistant like car seats and helmets.

A safe car seat should include five-point harness. It should be connected at the hips, shoulders, and between the legs. It should also include a top tether to keep the child safe in the case of a collision with a vehicle. The straps should have a device to tighten and loosen them. This can be controlled by pressing a button on the seat or by pulling a lever between the legs of the child.

Make sure the car seat will fit in the other vehicles in your family, if you plan to use it frequently. Some manufacturers have guides online which show how their seats fit in various family cars. This process can be made even easier by using Isofix connectors. These connectors are built into the seats and connect to the vehicle anchor points with just one click.

Safety

A car seat is one of the most effective ways to keep children safe. Parents do their best to protect them from illnesses as well as injuries from bullying and sports. A child restraint can reduce the risk for injuries by 70% when compared to adults who aren't restrained. But it only works when it is used properly. Unfortunately there are some Canadian and American studies indicate that 73 percent of car seats are used incorrectly.

The best way to make sure that your child or toddler is safe in the event of an accident to select a car seat with a 5-point safety harness. The 5-point harness assists in distribute the force of a collision over a greater portion of the body. This reduces the likelihood of injury. The harness holds the car seat in place so that it isn't moved in the event of a collision, thereby increasing your child's risk of injury.

In addition, the best infant car seats have an adequately cushioned seat that will protect your child and provide plenty of head support. Some include energy-absorbing foam, or other features to protect your baby's chest and head in the event of a collision with a car.

Don't buy or borrow a car seat at garage sales, flea markets or second-hand shops because you don't know what it's been used for or if it was involved in an accident. You should also avoid using a car seat that's older than six years old.

Before installing a child's seat, make sure the latch is tight and that the straps are secured. Don't also put your child in bulky clothes or coats when they're riding in the seat. The fabric could compress during an accident, leaving the straps of the harness loose, putting your child at a greater risk of danger of injury.

You'll need a booster or convertible seat once your child has reached the weight and height limits of an infant seat. The manual of the seat will provide recommended weights and ages.

Reliability

A baby car seat, also known as a child safety seat is a device that has been tested for crash that is designed to hold children and babies when they travel in vehicles. The device is secured to the child with the safety harness. Some models allow them to be cradled and move along with them during an accident, in order to lessen stress on the delicate spine cords and necks. It is vital that the child seat is properly fitted into your vehicle and is properly used each time you drive.

A system that detects and makes public the unintended effects of medical or consumer products, such as car seats - could be beneficial for parents. A system like this could collect information from doctors who treat injuries from car seats and also encourage patients to contact Transport Canada (9).

If you are using the LATCH (lower attachment) or the vehicle belt to secure your child's car seat, check the instruction manual to ensure that it's done correctly. Many car seats come with instructions that will show you how to install the seat in your vehicle. A lot of manufacturers offer online tutorials. If you're sharing your car or travel with family members frequently, think about buying a child's seat with Isofix connectors built in to make installation easier.

If you own an older car seat or second-hand one, make sure it has not been involved in any recent serious or moderate crashes. Check that it has never been damaged or recalled, and go through the instruction manual thoroughly to ensure that your child can sit straight and flex their knees easily over the front edge of the seat and that they are able to safely wear a lap belt that is low across their hips and shoulder belt across their chest and mid-chest (9).

Some children have behavioral or physical issues that require a specially-designed car seat. The only safe way to transport children with special needs is to use an appropriate car seat designed for them and is installed correctly. Talk to your pediatrician and local public health services to find out more.