According to Forbes.com, every 34 seconds, a child under the age of 13 is involved in a car crash and more than a third of those killed were not in car seats or wearing seat belts. This kind of numbers means that there is a strong need to carefully select an appropriate car seat based on a child’s age and size and ensure that is well installed. While you can choose to buy any car, it is a different choice altogether when it comes to a car seat. Here are a number of tips that parents should consider when purchasing a car seat for their child:
- Read the vehicle owner’s manual for installation guidelines – Car seats can be either be attached using a seat belt or the LATCH system otherwise known as Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children System. It is important to ensure how you plan to install it and you should do a car inspection to ensure that the right attachments are available so that you buy an appropriate seat.
- Choose the right seat based on your child’s age, weight and height. Basic guidelines indicate that Rear-Facing Seats are recommended for newborns and infants, Forward Facing Seats for children with at-least two years of age and Booster Seats are for children over 40 pounds and around 8 years of age.
- Measure the room you have in your back seat area. This will help you ensure that the seat you purchase is well fitted in the available area and especially if you have more than one child.
- Choose a car seat that comes with clear instructions on how to install it and if possible get a technician to do it for you. If you are expecting, it would be better to get the seat installed before the baby arrives to ensure that you do not get into a difficult situation after.
- If you fasten the car seat using the seat belt, ensure the belt is in place on the safety seat and properly fastened. The maximum movement on the belt seat should not be more than 1 inch.
- It is important to choose a seat with two piece retainer clips which are quite difficult for a child to unfasten. Toddlers sometimes tend to be adventurous and might end up unbuckling and climb out of their seats.
- Always look for accessible harness adjusters which are easy to access and use. Should there be an accident, improper harnesses render the seat less effective in securing your child from the crash effect.
- Easy to clean seats make your life easier. You can easily wipe off-mess without necessarily having to uninstall the seat.
Remember when you finally decide it is time to sell your ride, do not forget to uninstall the seat.
