8 Tips To Improve Your Car Seats By Age Game
Car Seats by Age
Each car seat is made to fit a certain age group. Children should ride in their car seat until they are at the maximum weight or height limit set by the manufacturer. After that, they can use a booster until their belts are properly fitted and they're usually between 10 and 12 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall.
When you are searching for a new seat look for features like fabric that resists stains and pieces that are machine washable. Hardware that is easy to clean should also be considered.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats are designed to hold infants and toddlers, securing their delicate spines and necks in the event of a crash. They also offer greater safety, since they distribute the impact force over a greater area. This limits spinal cord injuries.
Parents are often tempted to shift their children into forward-facing car seats before they're ready. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping them rear-facing for as long as it is possible. The manufacturer will let you know when your child is ready to transition forward.
Children's heads are large relative to their bodies, and are developing, which makes them particularly vulnerable in a crash. A child's head can produce up to 25 times their body weight in the event of a collision which is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. That's why young children are at the highest chance of suffering fatal head injuries when they ride in a car seat that is facing the front.
Many parents believe that their children have bigger necks than older children, which means they'll be able to transition to an forward-facing car seat faster. It's important to keep it in mind that a child who is in the 95th percentile of their age isn't stronger than a child who is 5th percentile, and no amount of push-ups by teens can change that. In the case of a car crash, the head of a larger child is likely to be struck with more force, which could cause spinal cord and brain injuries.
If your child is outgrowing their infant car seat, you can convert them to convertible cars that let children to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or the height limit. In general, children will reach the height limit first and it's crucial to pay close attention to the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your car seat on when to change to forward-facing mode.
If your child has reached the weight capacity of their convertible car seat or maximum height, you will have to transition them into a booster. The majority of booster seats come with an integrated angle indicator that will inform you when the seat is properly installed and is ready to switch to face forward. Use a booster only in the rear of your vehicle and always with a seat belt (never shoulder belts) to provide the most secure protection for your child.
Forward-facing
Many parents are tempted to turn their babies' car seats around as they get older because it seems more practical. But they must remember that rear-facing seats are safer for children.
In the event of a crash that involves the baby facing forward, the neck could be at risk. The head can be hit against the seat by force and cause permanent damage to the spine. Whiplash can happen even when the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially relevant for children younger than them, such as infants.
A child facing towards the front is more likely to hit his head on the dashboard or even a window in a crash. Depending on the kind of crash takes place and the speed at which the car is moving, the head may be placed against the seat. This can cause fractured skulls or a spinal chord.
The current safety standards demand that children remain rear-facing until they attain 20 pounds and one year old age. This is because younger kids do not have the strength of their necks to withstand the forces in a head-on collision, which is the most severe kind of accident in which cars are involved.
Using a harness and tether while rear-facing helps to keep the child's head in a stable position and reduces the strain on their necks. In addition that a child who is rear-facing is less likely to suffer head injuries since the impact is cushioned by body of the seat.
If you have a baby who is less than one year old and in a convertible car seat or an all-in-1 seat that can switch from forward-facing to rear-facing be sure to follow the instructions of the manufacturer about when it is safe for your child to look towards the front. The guidelines of the manufacturer will inform you whether or not a tether is needed and what the maximum weight and height are for that particular seat.
Once your child has outgrown the rear-facing limit of a car seat, they can travel in a forward-facing car seat with tether and harness until they reach the maximum weight or height limit set by their car seat's manufacturer. When best car seat infant reached that point, you can now take them on a trip with a booster.
Booster seat
There isn't a set age or height at which children can safely stop using the booster seat. The booster seat should be used until a child's belt fits properly. This can occur anywhere between 8 and 13 years old.
A booster raises the height of a child, so that they are able to sit upright in the car. The shoulder portion of a belt is also placed so that it is close to the chest, but not above. The lap portion of the belt must rest on the thighs, not on the stomach. Booster seats are equipped with a belt guide to ensure that the belt is positioned correctly.
Booster seats come with or without backrests. The most popular model is a high-back booster which provides head and neck support for children. It's a great choice for vehicles with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters are less expensive however they do not provide head or neck support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow users to switch between booster and harness modes, making them suitable for kids in harness mode up to about 65 pounds. They can also be used as a booster seat for 100 pounds.
Some boosters are equipped with lower anchors (LATCH) system that connects onto the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether if one is available. Some boosters require the seat belt to hold them in place. Check your vehicle's manual to see if you can use the lower anchors on your car, and also read the booster seat instructions to learn how to use them.
Parents may be enticed to let their 3-year old 30 pounds child take a straight booster seat, as they're becoming too tall for a car seat. It's dangerous to "graduate" the child from to a harness. Children can be injured or even killed if their belt is loose during the event of a crash.
Back seat
All children should ride in the back seat of a car as long as possible using a child safety seat or booster seat that is properly installed. Children who are too tall for a rear-facing car seat or have surpassed its height and weight limits should move to a forward-facing child restraint with a harness until they're too tall for this type of seat.
Once your child has outgrown the infant car seat, you can transfer them to a convertible car seat or all-in one car seat with an option to rear-facing. These seats are usually good for two years, or until the child is at the maximum weight and height of the seat. If you own a car with a middle seat, install the car safety seat so that it is secured to this spot using the lower anchor system or seat belt.
When your child outgrows their rear-facing car seat and is tall enough, they can be put in a front-facing child restraint fitted with a harness and tether. In general, these seats can be used up to 57 inches tall or until your child is at the weight and height recommendations of the seat. The instructions of the manufacturer or the tag on the car seat will let you know how tall and heavy it can be.
All older children must be seated in the booster seat or on a lap belt in the vehicle as much as possible. If not you can use a back seat restraint that is located in the middle of the back seat. In addition it is not recommended to sit in the front seat when there's an airbag that is active. Children who sit in the front seats are more likely to suffer injuries in a collision because their bodies are smaller.
It's a good idea bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station to help with choosing and installing the best child safety seat for them. They can also check whether your car seat has been recalled for defects or safety issues. You can then purchase one that fits your vehicle and your child's size. If you're unable to try a seat, check to whether it has a refund policy.