New parents have their hands full. While the nine months leading up to the birth of a child afford plenty of time to research the best gear and make necessary preparations, the list of concerns for that fragile bundle of joy can be intimidating. And selecting the right car seat is one of the most challenging. Between reviews, recalls, budgets, and difficult-to-understand instructions, the world of car seat shopping is not for the faint of heart. But it needn't be so complicated: once you know the lingo and your needs, it's just a matter of finding the right fit for your vehicle and family.
Types of Car Seats:
There are three types of car seats that meet the U.S. federal safety standards; rear-facing, forward-facing, and boosters. Regardless of type, each car seat will have weight, height, and age limits to help determine the right fit.
Children should be placed in a rear-facing car seat until age 2, or until they reach the highest weight or height indicated by the manufacturer. Children should rear-face for as long as possible to best support their head, neck, and spine in the case of a front-end collision (the most common).
Once a child outgrows the rear-facing specifications, they should be moved to a forward-facing seat with a five-point harness system and top tether. If the child eventually exceeds the weight limit for the lower attachments, but still fits the height specifications, the car seat may be configured to utilize the vehicle's seat belt (while the top tether remains secured). Regardless, this seat should be used until the child outgrows the weight and/or height limits, at which point a booster seat can be used.
Booster seats utilize the vehicle's lap-and-shoulder seat belt to safely secure the child. Review seat belt placement recommendations to ensure a proper fit. Remember that booster seats offer significantly more freedom to the child, so they should only be considered when a child is responsible enough to remain safely seated.
Convertible car seats, with rear and forward-facing installation options can be a cost-effective alternative to purchasing single, stand-alone models. Sometimes, these seats even include a booster option. Many rear-facing models also incorporate a carrier that clicks into a base that remains in the vehicle. This allows parents to easily move newborns and babies without disrupting sleep and minimizes exposure to surfaces while out and about.
Placement:
Regardless of the type, all car seats should be placed in the back seat, preferably in the center if possible. Not all vehicles allow for car seat placement in every spot; consult the vehicle manual to determine the safest location.
Installation:
Car seats should be correctly installed according to manufacturer specifications and vehicle manuals, and ideally inspected by a car seat technician. Safe Kids, as well as a number of other local entities, host car seat clinics and check-up events providing free inspections in most areas; visit safekids.org to find an inspection station in your area or consult with local children's outreach and pediatric offices for recommendations.
Car seats should all be held in place with the strongest system available in the vehicle, either the seat belt or the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system. For the seat belt, simply feed the belt through the car seat's belt path – directions are often printed on the car seat base – and secure a top tether. For LATCH, use the car seat clips to attach the seat to the vehicle's lower anchors. Both options are safe, but should not be combined at the same time: try them both and select the option that offers the most secure, movement-free fit. (Do the inch-test to check: car seats shouldn't move more than an inch from side to side or front to back.) Keep in mind that the LATCH system carries its own weight limit; once a child exceeds the LATCH limits, switch to the seat belt.
Other Considerations:
- Stay away from used car seats: if a seat has been in a car crash or is missing any parts, it's not safe.
- Register your seat to stay informed about recalls and other safety concerns.
- Winter coats and bulky clothes should NOT be worn in a car seat; they prevent a secure fit.
- Car seats expire, so keep track of those dates and replace as needed.
- A child can safely graduate from a booster to a seat belt when the belt can be placed over the shoulder and the lap portion sits low on the hips.
For insurance questions, call or contact InSouth Insurance Services today.