Safety Tips When Buying Baby Car Seats
24th May 2011 by Babies No CommentsIt is a parent’s responsibility to keep their child safely buckled in when traveling down the road. The problem is that most parents don’t understand a lot about car seats, and usually by the one that is the least expensive, and the easiest to deal with. The thing to ask yourself is if this is a product you really want to protect you child in the event of a vehicle accident.
When you first start doing your research we recommend addressing the basic safety issues. You need a baby car seat that can connect the seat belt securely. The right choice will come with a LATCH system or Lower Anchor and Tether for Children. This is the system that fastens the car seat to your car. Without it your child won’t be as stable as you might think, even if the regular seat belt is being used.
Another good safety feature in your next car seat should also be the Versa Tether Energy Absorbing system. This helps keep your child’s car seat securely in place in case you have to make a sudden stop. A perfect example would be Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat. This prevents the seat from moving unexpectedly forward by up to six inches. This is also an integrated part of the LATCH system.
Sometimes the force of an accident can be enough to jolt your child, which is where EPS foam comes into play. It’s something also used in bicycle helmets, so if something unexpected does occur, the force of the crash will divert away from your child. While this was created to provide a forgiving barrier between your baby and any hard surface, the HUGS harness also prevents any type of movement. So if you get hit from behind or from the side, both of these will be extremely helpful.
Even though all of these safety features are important, it’s the safety harness that provides a secure fit for your child. During your research we recommend finding an option that offers a 5pt. system. It should offer a form fitting safety harness that allows an extremely small range of motion. Refer to Graco Nautilus to get an idea. It will also latch down to the seat, but will out of reach from wandering hands.
Comfort for your baby is also something to consider, so the car seat should have plenty of cushioning such as the Graco Nautilus Car Seat. We recommend finding something that can be detached in case it gets dirty. Therefore it should be allowed to be placed in the washer for a proper cleaning. During this time we recommend wiping down the body of the seat and using anti-bacterial wipes to get rid of any germs. A good choice is the 3-in-1 seats. They can change from rear-facing to front-facing, and basically complement your child as he or she grows. Eventually you can transform your baby car seat into a booster seat and still get the same support in the process.
We understand the cost will come into play, but don’t ever skimp on quality and safety for the overall price. We’re talking about the safety of your child, so forget about those second hand store opportunities. Used car seats have already been through a lot, and they may not have the same structural integrity as a brand new option. So how much do they cost? If you want plenty of quality in your baby’s car seat then expect to pay one hundred to two hundred dollars.
