Unlike an adult in a car, a child in a car is very sensitive to jerks and bumps. These jerks and bumps can be harmful for your kid in unprecedented ways. The federal laws also makes it mandatory to keep the children restrained like the adults. The conventional safety systems installed in a car are designed completely for adults. The seat belts are way above the shoulders of the kids hence they can not restrain a kid successfully. Therefore you child can lose his balance in case of impacts and end up injuring himself. Child seats are designed specifically to meet the safety requirements for children for whom normal safety systems of car are not effective.
Things to remember
While choosing a car seat for the kid, focus and emphasis should be laid on the suitability of the car seat for your kid. Various factor that should be considered is the car size, the age, weight and height of the kid. Seat belts come in different varieties depending upon its nature. Choice for a seat belt should be governed by height and weight of the child rather than age of the child. Similarly the seats should be changed only if the child outgrows the car seat or if his weight exceeds the seat capabilities. As long as possible seats should be installed in the rear row in the center.
Different types of car seats available in the market
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children must be seated in a rear facing seat until 2 years of age or they overgrow for the seat in terms of height and weight. A rear facing seat offer better protection by supporting neck, spine and head of infants as it distributes the force over entire body. Similarly a forward facing seat with a harness if deemed more safe for larger children than a booster seat.
Things to remember
- Out of the many seats that are available in the market. One should focus on the seats that are in accordance with the federal safeguards.
- Children must never be seated in front rows. Likewise the child seats should never be installed in the front row of the car. They should also be not installed anywhere near the windows or near the places from where the air bags operate. Though air bags are safe for children, they are injurious to kids.
- One should avoid using used car seats. Though they may appear good and well but they may have structural deformities from inside. They are not reliable enough. Hence one should not go for cheap used car seats. An extra investment can prove to be life worthy in unexpected times.
- The parents must always test the seat before making a purchase as illustrations of the seat may vary from the original seat.
- After making the purchase, the parents should get it installed at a perfect spot in their car which offers maximum protection to the child. The installation and the car seat must comply with the safeguards provided by the federal authorities.
While choosing a car seat for the kid, focus and emphasis should be laid on the suitability of the car seat for your kid. Various factor that should be considered is the car size, the age, weight and height of the kid. Seat belts come in different varieties depending upon its nature. Choice for a seat belt should be governed by height and weight of the child rather than age of the child. Similarly the seats should be changed only if the child outgrows the car seat or if his weight exceeds the seat capabilities. As long as possible seats should be installed in the rear row in the center.
Different types of car seats available in the market
- Rear facing seats : These seats are basically designed for infants and newborns. Though they can be used till 2 years of age if the height and weight constraints comply with the seats. These seats are faced in opposite direction to the motion of car. It is advisable to install these seats at a position from where he can be seen. They are useful for children up to 22-35 pounds of weight. Alternately, they can be used as infant carriers.
- Forward facing seats : Forward facing seats are arranged in the direction as every seat in the car is. They are suitable for children having at least 40 pounds of weight. They can be used alternatively if the child overgrows for a rear facing seat.
- Booster car seats : Booster seats are for grown kids suitably in the age group of around 8yrs. They can be used to restrain a child until they become 4'9'' tall and it can bear a weight of 100-120 pounds.
- Convertible car seats : They can be converted from rear facing to front facing and vice-verse. Though they are not considered good for a new born baby as the bottom harness slots are way above the shoulders.
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children must be seated in a rear facing seat until 2 years of age or they overgrow for the seat in terms of height and weight. A rear facing seat offer better protection by supporting neck, spine and head of infants as it distributes the force over entire body. Similarly a forward facing seat with a harness if deemed more safe for larger children than a booster seat.
