Baby Car Seats , Some Basics |

Baby Car Seats , Some Basics

24 May 2009 157 views No Comment

Baby Car Seats According to a survey, 80% of children are not properly seated in the baby car seat exposing them to injury or even death in accidents. By using the safe car seats properly, parents can avoid the risk of injury to their child in the event of a mishap. The problem is that parents seldom consider in selecting the right seat for the child's age or in placing them in the right direction in the car.

Experts say that until the infants are one year old and weigh twenty pounds, they should be in a rear facing infant only seat or convertible seat. It should be so, even if the kids past one year, but still weigh less than twenty pounds.

When using a rear facing convertible seat, see carefully whether the harness straps are positioned at or a bit below your child's shoulders, the harness chest clip is at the armpit level, the harness straps are straight and the seat is reclined at a 45-degree angle.

Forward facing seats can be considered for a child above 1 year and weighing between 20 and 40 pounds. Kids over 40 pounds can be placed into a belt positioning booster seat. This is suitable for the children up to the age of 8 years. While using a forward facing convertible seat, make sure that the harness straps are positioned at or slightly above your child's shoulder, the straps are straight and the harness chest clip's position is around your child's mid-chest or armpit area.

Further, it may be noted that the car's regular seat belts are not meant for your child until they fit correctly. The idea time for your child to use regular seat belts, when he /she weigh about 80 pounds and are 4ft 9 inches tall. Using the shoulder strap is also very important as irregular use invite trouble for your child. Your child should not use regular seat belts until the shoulder strap fits across his shoulder and not his neck, and the lap belt fits across his hips and not his stomach.

Until 12 years of age, the child should not be allowed to sit in the front seat. Do not use seat, which has its harness straps too loose or in the wrong position. And it is advisable to lock the seat belt always properly with a locking clip and secure the seat belt correctly. Needless to do not place an infant seat in the way of an air bag and avoid danger to the infant in the even of an accident.