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 protects children from injury or even death during car accidents.
Babies should ride in rear-facing infant seats until they reach the weight limit or height set by the seat's manufacturer.
Installation is simple
Car seats must pass rigorous safety tests before being sold, but even the best seat could be unsafe in the event that it isn't installed correctly. This is why it's one of the most important aspects to look for in a car seat. It's important to spend the time to understand how to install the car seat and to practice the installation before the baby is born.
The first step is to read the car seat manual. Skip the Table of Contents and go straight to the index and find the "child safety seat" section--the exact instructions for installing your car seat will be contingent on the make and model, but most vehicles have a specific area in the back where child seats can be installed.
You'll also want to consider whether your vehicle has a LATCH system and what kind of lower anchors it has, as some seats use different kinds of anchors. The best infant car seats is one that comes with clear instructions as well as a color-changing indicator, and an interface that is simple to use. Many models will click when properly locked this is a great method to ensure the safety of the seat.
If you're looking to add security, choose a seat with an easy-to install base and a load leg. This will keep the seat from becoming a projectile in a crash, and also prevents it from tipping when the braking. Finally, you'll want to take into consideration the weight of the base and the seat together. You don't want a large or bulky seat to be too heavy to carry.
If you are unsure of how to install your child safety seat, you may be able to ask for help from an accredited child safety technician. They are trained to show parents and caregivers the proper method of installing car seats. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also maintains a list inspection stations.
Ease of Use
A baby seat can also be known as an infant car seat or safety seat. It is designed to safeguard and cradle the smallest of children. They usually have the base that is secured in the vehicle and snaps out for use as a car seat or a convertible seat. A lot of them are light and have stroller attachments that let parents or caregivers to move the sleeping child with no need to wake them up.
Car seats are designed to comply with government standards that are based on the weight, height and age of the child, with the aim of keeping them safe in a crash. These standardizations, called federal motor vehicle safety regulations (FMVSR) are the guidelines that guide manufacturers as they design and test their products. To be sold in the United States, a seat must pass these tests.
A lot of infant seats, particularly the lower priced ones, have a harness and headrest constructed of plastic. It is designed to absorb a portion of the impact of an accident by crumpling and dissipating the force. The higher-end models may use a softer and more flexible foam that is able to better protect the child from the shock. EPS foam is often used in safety equipment that must be lightweight and resistant to impact, such as helmets and car seats.
A good car seat should have five-point harness. It should connect at the shoulders, hips and between the legs. car seat newborn insert should also have a top tether to keep the child secure in the case of a collision with a vehicle. The straps should be equipped with an option that allows them to be adjusted in tension and loosen. This can be done by pressing a button or pulling a lever between the child's knees.
Check to see if 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 simpler with the use of Isofix connectors. These connectors are built into the seats and connect to the anchor points of the vehicle with a a click.
Safety
Parents often put in a lot of effort to protect their children from illness, bullies and sports injuries however, one of the most important ways to keep kids safe is to use car seats. A child restraint system reduces the chance of injury by more than 70% compared to adult restraints, however, it's only effective when used correctly. Unfortunately certain Canadian and American studies show that 73 percent of car seats are utilized improperly.
The best way to make sure that your child or toddler is secure in the event of an accident to choose a car seat equipped with a five-point safety harness. The 5-point harness disperses the impact force across an entire area of the body, so it's less likely to cause injuries. The harness holds the car seat in position so that it isn't moved during a collision, increasing your child's risk of injury.
The best infant car seats have a well padded seat that is comfortable for your child and provides plenty of head support. Some of them even come with special energy-absorbing foam and other features to protect your baby's chest and head in the event of a collision with a car.
Don't buy or borrow car seats at garage sales, flea market or second-hand shops because you don't know what it's been used for or if it was involved in an accident. Avoid using carseats that are older than six years.
Before installing a child's seat, make sure the latch is secure and that the straps are secure. Don't let your child wear bulky clothing while they are in the seat. The fabric could compress during an accident, which can leave the straps on the harness loose. This increases the chance of injury for your child.
You'll require a booster seat or convertible seat after your child is past the height and weight limit of an infant seat. The instruction manual of the seat will include recommended weights and ages.
Reliability
A child safety seat or a baby car seat is a crash tested device that is used to hold infants and children in cars. The seat secures a child using the safety harness. Some models cradle them and move along with them during an accident, in order to lessen stress on the delicate spine cords and necks. It is essential that the infant seat is correctly fitted into your vehicle and is used correctly each time you drive with no additional accessories connected.
Parents would benefit from a system that identifies unintended consequences of consumer or medical products, such as car seats. A system like this could collect information from doctors who treat injuries from car seats and urge patients to contact Transport Canada (9).
Whether you use the LATCH (lower attachment) or the vehicle belt to install your child's car seat, be sure to check the manual to ensure that it's done correctly. A lot of car seats come with instructions that will show you how to install the seat in your vehicle. Many manufacturers also have online guides. If you're sharing your car or travel with family members frequently, consider getting a baby seat that has Isofix connectors that are built-in to make installation easier.
If you have an older or second-hand car seat, make sure it has not been involved in no recent severe or moderate crashes. Verify that the seat is not damaged or removed from the market. Follow the directions carefully to ensure that the child can sit up straight and that their knees can be bent easily over the edge of the seat, and that they can wear a shoulder belt as well as an un-level lap belt on their hips.
Some children have behavioral or physical issues that require a custom-made car seat. The only safe method of transporting these children is in the seat specially made for them and installed correctly. For more information, contact your pediatrician or local public health department.