How to Install a Baby Seat Correctly
A baby seat (also called a child safety seat, infant car seat or car seat) is a crash-tested, regulated 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 or height limit allowed by their seat's manufacturer.
Easy Installation
Even the best car seats could be dangerous if not installed correctly. Easy installation is therefore one of the most important factors to look out for when buying car seats. It's worth the effort to study the right method of installation for your particular vehicle, and to practice installing the seat in a safe empty car prior to when baby arrives (or when you have already a toddler).
The first thing you need to do is read the instruction manual for your car seat. Skip the table of contents and proceed to the index. Locate the "child safety seats" section. The exact directions will depend on the make and model of your vehicle, however most have a specific place in the back for child seats.
You should also consider whether your car has LATCH systems 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 include a system that is simple to use, with clear instructions and a color-change indicator to indicate that the anchors on the lower side are in good order. A lot of models will make a click when properly locked and is a great method to verify the security of the seat.
If you're looking to go that extra mile, consider purchasing a seat that has an easy-to-install base with load legs for additional safety. This will keep the seat from exploding during an accident and also prevent it from tipping over when you brake. It is also important to take into consideration the weight of the base and the seat. If you plan to carry the seat or take it to Grandma's car frequently, a light design is crucial; you don't want to carry around an extra-heavy, bulky box.
If you are unsure of how to set up your child's safety seat, you may find it helpful to ask for guidance from a certified child safety technician. They are trained to teach parents and caregivers the correct method of installing car seats. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also maintains a list inspection stations.
Ease of Use
A baby seat, also referred to as an infant safety seat or car seat, is designed to cradle and protect the smallest children. Many are designed with bases that can be used as an convertible seat or a carrier. The base is typically an adjustable buckle that is kept in the vehicle. Many are lightweight and include stroller attachments that allow parents or caregivers to take the child from one vehicle to the next without disturbing them up.
The government sets standards for car seats that are based on height, weight, and age to ensure children are safe in the event of an accident. These standards, also known as federal motor vehicle safety regulations (FMVSR) are the guidelines used by manufacturers as they create and test their products. A car seat must pass all of these tests to be sold in the United States.
A lot of infant seats, particularly the ones that are less expensive come with a harness and headrest made of plastic that is designed to absorb some of the force generated by the crash by crushing and dissipating the force. The more expensive models could utilize soft, more flexible foam, which can better protect the child's body from the shock of the crash. The EPS foam is a popular material used in safety equipment that require a lightweight and withstand impact, like helmets and car seats.
A good quality car seat should come with a 5-point harness that is connected at the shoulders, hips and between the legs. It should also have the top tether, which will ensure the child's safety in the event of an accident. newborn car seat should be equipped with an option that allows them to be loosened and tightened. This can be accomplished by pressing the button or pulling a lever located between the knees of the child.
Make sure the car seat is able to fit in the other vehicles of your family If you intend to use it regularly. Some manufacturers offer guides on their websites that explain how to install their seats in different family vehicles. The use of Isofix connectors which are built into the seat and connect to the anchor points of the vehicle with one click, can make this process even easier.
Safety
Parents often put in a lot of effort to protect their children from illnesses or injuries from bullies, sports injuries and other illnesses however, one of the most important ways to keep kids safe is by using a car seat. A child's restraint can cut down the risk for injuries by 70% when in comparison to adults who are not restrained. However, it only works when it is used properly. Unfortunately there are some Canadian and American studies report that 73 percent of car seats are being used in a way that isn't.
Picking a car seat with a 5-point harness is among the best ways to ensure that your child will be safe in the event of a crash. The 5-point harness distributes the impact of a collision over more of the body, which means it is less likely to cause injury. The harness keeps the car seat in place to ensure that it won't move during a collision, increasing the chance of injury for your child.
The best infant car seats also come with a cushioned 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 head and chest in a side impact accident.
Don't buy or borrow car seats from garage sales, flea markets or second-hand stores because you don't know its history or if it's been in an accident. Also, avoid using a seat that is more than six years old.
Before installing a seat for your child, make sure the latch is secured and that the straps are secured. Don't let your child wear bulky clothing when they are in the seat. The fabric can compress in a crash, leaving the harness straps loose. This increases the chance of injury for your child.
When your child reaches the weight and height limits of an infant car seat, it's time to upgrade to a convertible or booster seat. The instruction manual of the seat will provide recommended weights and ages.
Reliability
A baby car seat, or child safety seat is a device that has been tested for crash that cradles children and babies when they travel in vehicles. The device is secured to a child using a safety harness. Some models cradle them and move with them in a crash, to reduce stress on the spine cords and necks. It is important that the infant seat is correctly fitted into your vehicle and is used properly every time you drive, without any additional products attached.
Parents could benefit from a system that detects unintended effects of consumer or medical products, like car seats. Similar to phase IV trials that study unknown adverse effects of pharmaceutical drugs after they are sold, such a system could collect data from physicians who diagnose car seat-related injuries and encourage patients to report problems to Transport Canada (9).
Check the manual before installing your child's seat. Many car seats come with instructions that guide you on how to install the seat in your vehicle. A lot of manufacturers offer online tutorials. Consider getting a car seat that has Isofix connectors if sharing your vehicle or often travel with family members.
If you have an older car seat or second-hand one, ensure that it has not been involved in any recent serious or moderate crashes. Verify that the seat has not been damaged or removed from the market. Read the instructions carefully to ensure that the child can sit upright, that their knees can be bent easily over the edge of the seat and that they can wear a shoulder belt and a lap belt that is low-level on their hips.
Certain children suffer from physical or behavioral problems that require a bespoke car seat. The only secure way to transport children with special needs is to use a seat that is specially designed for them and is installed correctly. Check with your pediatrician or the local public health departments to learn more.