Baby Car Seats Safety -- Frequently Asked Questions
In this article you will be provided with information about baby car seats and keeping your baby safe while in the car.
There are tips for buying new and used baby car seats.
Answers to some of the most asked questions about car seats are provided as well.
Q. What is the best baby car seat?
The best car seat is the one that matches your baby's size and weight.
It also fits properly in your car and is easily installed.
Q. What types of baby car seats are available?
There are several types of baby car seats such as infant seats, front facing car seats, and convertible seats.
There are also combination seats (can face front or rear), booster seats and integrated car seats.
With each type of seat there are variations.
Q. Is a five-point harness or a shield safest for my baby?
A five point harness gives your child the greatest protection because it holds your baby tighter in the seat in the event of a crash.
A T-Shield or over-the-head restraint allows too much room or can get in the way of chubby tummies and legs.
The stalk of the T-Shield can cause serious injury to your baby.
Q. How can I find out how to safely install my baby's car seat?
All car seats (except most second hand seats) come with printed directions.
If after reading the directions you still are not sure how to properly install it.
You can call or email the manufacturer.
Some police stations and hospitals have assistance programsas well.
Q. Is there a correct way to secure my child in the baby car seat?
Yes, there is a correct way in which to secure your child in his car seat.
How you secure your baby in the car seat will likely depend on the age and size of your baby.
For children under a year of age they should be placed in rear-facing seats in the centerof the rear seat.
Older children can sit facing front and their seat are generally placed behind the driver or passenger in order to utilize the shoulder/lap belts.
Q. What is LATCH?
LATCH refers to Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children.
It is a baby car seat installation system.
The lower hooks are attached between the bottom of the back of the seat and seat itself.
The tether piece is a strap made of seat belt material with a clip that secures forward facing baby car seats and prevents excessive movement of the baby's head in crashes.
Q. What is a Tether?
The tether is a strap made of seat belt material with a clip.
It attaches to the clips on the seat and secures front facing baby car seats.
In a crash it prevents excessive movement of the seat and the baby's head, reducing the severity of injuries.
Q. How can I tell when my child is ready to use car seat belts without a booster seat?
Your child will be ready for using the car safety restraint system when s/he can sitall the way back in the seat and the knees can bend comfortably over the edge of the seat.
The belt crosses the shoulder between the neck and the arm and the lap belt is low and touches the thighs.
Your child must be able to remain seated the whole trip.
Q. Can a baby car seat be used safely in an airplane?
Yes it can.
Airlines require children age 2 and under, to be in approved car seats.
The seats must be 16 inches or less to fit in the airplane seats.
Call ahead and find out ifyour seat is an approved seat.
Once on the plane, the hostess/es, will be able to assist you.
Q. Is it safe for me to use second-hand baby car seats?
Yes it is safe to use second-hand baby car seats provided you do a safety check.
Belts and harnesses should not be frayed or cracked.
There should be no cracks or tears in the seat cover and the seat should recline easily and stay upright when the baby is seated.
Look into the history of the seat, if it has been in a car crash do not buy it, its ability to safely restrain your child has been compromised.
If the seat doesn't come with a manual contact the manufacturer to ensure the seat will be properly installed.If the seat is more than 5 years old do not use it, it may have been in a crash and older baby car seats may not fit in new model cars.
Q. What should I do if my baby car seat is recalled?
In most cases, the manufacturer will provide you with instructions of what to do if baby car seat is recalled.
In some cases they will replace it for free they will have you bring it somewhere to get replacement parts also at no cost to you.
Q. Are there baby car seats available for children with special needs?
Children with special needs may require different restraint systems.
Discuss your options with your pediatrician.
Agencies such as Easter Seals have programs and information on baby car seats for special needs children.
Q. What is the best type of harness for my baby car seat?
There are four types of harnesses in baby car seats.
The six-point harness has two straps at the shoulders, two at the hips and two at the crotch.
The five-point harness has two straps at the shoulders, two at the hips and one at the crotch.
The t-shield is a padded triangle that latches at the crotch while the overhead shield comes down from over the head and latches at the crotch also.
The safest harnesses are the five or six-point harnesses.
These prevent excessive movement of the baby in crash situations.
The t shield and the over-head shield allow for too much room and could cause your baby to be ejected from the car in a crash.
In Conclusion
You can never go wrong if you err on the side of caution when it comes to your baby.
The size and weight of your baby as well as your budget will decide what type of seat you will purchase.
This article has provided you with a number of tips to keep your baby safe while riding with you in the car.
Questions and Answers
The Britax King Plus Car Seat – is ‘Most Recommended’ by Olivers Baby Care. It is a child's group 1 car seat, good sized and comfortable, with an easy to fit system to tension the car's 3-point seat belt when fitting. All child car seats come with a classification which tells the parents exactly the age of child the seat is most appropriate for.
When choosing a Childs Car Seat it is important to check with the manufacturer which seat fits in your car. Most manufacturers list child car seats that are appropriate. The next important consideration is your child’s weight – you will notice I didn’t say age – that’s right – child and baby car seats are designed for a child or baby from and up to a specific weight – so you have to know this before choosing the right seat.
When choosing a Childs Car Seat it is important to check with the manufacturer which seat fits in your car. Most manufacturers list child car seats that are appropriate. The next important consideration is your child's weight - you will notice I didn't say age - that's right - child and baby car seats are designed for a child or baby from and up to a specific weight - so you have to know this before choosing the right seat.
A car accident is kind of unpredictable and might occur at any moment without any prior warning. Serious harm and fatal wounds to the passengers could happen throughout an accident.
Child Car Seats are some of the most important investments you will get for your little one. When shopping for car seats, keep in mind that the kind of car seat you will get for your baby will depend on his or her age. For the first few years, you may have to buy a few child car seats to accommodate your baby's growth. Here are some tips you should follow when buying a car seat for your child.
When new parents are bringing home a baby for the first time, they are joyful and excited. Additionally, they tend to drive slowly and carefully to ensure the safety of their precious newborn
Caring and bring up a new born baby is not an easy task. A lot of planning, preparation and shopping is involved to make the home ready for the arrival of the new member of your home. It is important to keep things handy that your new born will need once he comes into the world.
Dressing your newborn in designer children's clothing could very well be fun but one can find guidelines that you should follow when it comes to building your baby's wardrobe. Learn how one can purchase baby clothes.
Top 5 Things are there to take care while buying Baby Bedding that would be comfortable and beautiful.
Birthday cakes are an essential component of any birthday celebration. If your youngster's birthday party is coming up in a few days, you don't have to worry about the best birthday cake decorations.
Baby monitors are a wonderful way for you to be able to get some work done around your home while still being able to keep an eye on your baby while he or she is sleeping. You will know right away if your infant should wake up, and you can go and tend to him or her.
How can you have a complete baby shower without baby shower cakes? A baby cake is more than a moist, yummy confection to eat. You can use it as a wonderful baby shower centerpiece to make a special party setting that every guest can share and enjoy. Also turn the baby shower cake baking into a funny baby shower game if you want to make a special and memorable moment that the mom-to-be can cherish for a long time.
The most important thing not to be forgotten at a baby shower party to make it a success is to remember the reason behind the get together and that being is baby. What is a baby shower, well let me tell you it is an occasion to celebrate the newest edition to the family. Originally baby showers were intended for first-borns, but in the modern world baby shower parties are practised for every baby born into the family and why not every baby deserves just as much attention as any other.
Baby showers are an exciting way to welcome a baby into the world and are great occasions for the parents-to-be to receive the blessings of all their well wishers. Generally given by friends and co-workers, baby showers are much more than just parties. They provide a chance for the guests to get together and maybe even meet the new baby if the baby is already born. Baby shower cakes are also known as diaper cakes or just baby cakes.
Keeping your baby safe is one of the biggest concerns for all parents. There are many things we take for granted, but are hazards to your baby. Your home is not ready for the baby until you do some things to make it safe, especially if they are beginning to crawl or walk. Don't find out what is dangerous the hard way. Here are some tips to remember. This list is incomplete as each home is different, but hopefully, these tips will get you started in the right direction.
If you're looking for a creative and different way to honor new moms- and dads-to-be and help them get ready for their baby, consider throwing a baby safety shower instead of the usual "blankets and snugglies" shower. Traditional baby showers are great fun and they offer new parents an opportunity to prepare their ''nests'' for the arrival of a new baby.
Discuss this Article
