7 Useful Tips For Making The Most Out Of Your Car Seats By Age
Car Seats by Age
Each car seat is designed to be suitable for a particular age group. Children should be in their car seat until they reach the limit of the manufacturer's weight or height. Then, they are able to use a booster until their belts of their vehicle fit properly, usually when they are between 10 and 12 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall.
When you are looking for a new car seat, think about features such as fabric that can withstand stains, removable pieces that can be washed by machines, and hardware that wipes clean.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats hold babies and toddlers, shielding their delicate necks and spines in the event of a collision. They are also safer, since they disperse the force of an impact over a greater area. This limits the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.
Parents are often tempted by the thought of bringing their children forward facing before they're ready. However the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that you keep them rear-facing for as long as possible. This means that they should move to a forward-facing seat only when they've reached the maximum weight or height of their current seat, as specified by the manufacturer.
Heads of children are large in relation to their bodies and still developing, which makes them more vulnerable to crash. In fact children's heads can exert up to 25 times the force of their bodyweight in the event of a collision. This is more than enough to cause a deadly injury. baby seat is why children who sit in a car seat with their backs towards the front are at the highest risk of fatal head injuries.
Many parents believe that their children have larger necks and can make the transition to a car seat that faces forward faster. It's important to keep in mind that a child who is 95th percentile is not stronger than a child who's 5th percentile, and that no amount of push-ups done by teens will alter that. In the event of a car crash the head of a child with a bigger size will likely be struck with more force. This could result in brain and spinal cord injury.
When your child has outgrown their infant car seat, you can switch them into a convertible car seat that lets them stay facing the rear until they reach the maximum height or weight limit. Children typically attain their maximum height first. This is why it is important to follow the instructions of the manufacturer of the car seat on when you can switch them to forward-facing mode.
If your child is at the weight or height limit of their convertible car seat, you'll need to put them in a booster seat. Most booster seats come with an angle indicator to let you know when the seat has been properly installed and is able to be turned to forward-facing mode. It is best to use a booster seat in the back of your vehicle, and only with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the strongest protection for your child in case of crash.
Forward-facing
Many parents are enticed to turn their babies' car seats around when they get older because it seems more practical. However, they must remember that rear-facing seats are a safer option for children.
In a crash with a baby facing forward, the neck is at risk. The head can be placed against the seat and cause permanent spine damage. Whiplash is still a possibility even when the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially applicable to children who are smaller such as infants who are less than one year old.
A child facing in the direction of the driver is more likely hit his head on the dashboard, or even a glass in a crash. Depending on the type of crash and the speed at which the car is moving the head may be pulled into the seat and break the skull or the spinal cord.
The current safety standards require children to remain rear-facing until they reach 20 pounds and 1 year old. This is due to the fact that younger children don't have the neck strength to withstand the forces in a head-on collision, which is often the most serious kind of accident where cars are involved.
Utilizing a harness and tether when facing rear helps keep the child's head in a stable position, which reduces this stress on their necks. Additionally, a rear-facing child is less prone to head injuries because the impact is cushioned with the body of the seat.
If you have a child less than one year old, and they are in a convertible seat or an all in one that can be changed from facing forward to rear at any time, read the instructions given by the manufacturer to determine if it's safe to face forward. The guidelines will inform you whether or not you should use a tether, as well as the weight and height limitations for that particular seat.
Once your child has reached the maximum height or weight permitted by the car seat manufacturer, they are able to use a forward-facing seat with a tether. Once they have outgrown this, it's time to move into the booster seat.
Seat booster
There is no age limit or height when children can safely stop using booster seats. The booster seat should be used until a child's vehicle belt is properly fitted. This could happen anywhere between 8 and 13 years old.
A booster increases the height of a child, so that they can sit upright in the car. The shoulder part of a belt must be set so that it sits close to the chest, but not over. The lap portion of the belt must rest on the thighs, not the stomach. Booster seats have a built-in belt guide to ensure that the belt is properly positioned.
Booster seats can be bought with or without a rearrest. The most commonly used booster seat is the high-back that offers neck and head support for children. This is a good option for vehicles that have low backs and have no headrests. Backless boosters are more affordable however they do not provide neck or head support. Some all-in-one boosters permit you to switch between booster and harness modes, making them suitable for children who are in harness mode until about 65 pounds. They can also be used as an adult booster seat until about 100 pounds.
Some boosters are equipped with a lower anchors (LATCH) system that hooks onto the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether, when one is available. Certain boosters require a seat belt to keep them in place. You can refer to the owner's manual for your vehicle to determine if you can use the lower anchors. Also, read the instructions for the booster seat to learn how to use it.
Some parents may be tempted to let their 3 year old 30 lbs child take a straight booster seat, as they're becoming too tall for a car seat. However, rushing to "graduate" your child from the harness is dangerous. Children can be injured or even killed if the belt is loose during a crash.
Back seat
Every child should use a child safety or booster seat installed correctly for as long as they are able to. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seat, or who have exceeded the weight and height limits, should switch to a forward-facing child restraint using a harness until they attain the maximum height for this type of seat.
When your child is no longer able to fit in the infant car seat, they can be transferred to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that has a rear-facing seat. These seats can typically be used up to two years or until your child reaches the seat's weight and height limit. Install the car safety seat on the middle seat of your vehicle. It can be securely fastened with the lower anchor system and seat belt.
If your child is out of their rear-facing seat, you can place them in a forward-facing restraint that has a harness. In general, these seats can be used up to 57 inches or until your child outgrows the weight and height limits of the seat. You can determine how tall and heavy a car seat is by reading the manufacturer's instructions, or by looking at a tag attached to the seat.
If you can the older children should sit in a booster or lap belt. If not then they should use a back restraint in the middle of the back seat. It is also recommended to not sit in front of the car if the airbag is activated. Putting children in the front seat can increase the risk of getting injured in an accident, as the force of impact is greater on their smaller bodies.
You can bring your child to an inspection station or car seat clinic to receive assistance selecting and installing the correct child safety seat. They can also find out whether your car seat is being recalled due to problems or safety concerns. You can then purchase one that is compatible with your vehicle and your child's size. If you're unable to try a seat, whether it has a return policy.