Driving with an infant can be difficult considering the fact that you have to take note of a lot of factors when it comes to safety. Fortunately there are car seats available in the market nowadays to guarantee that your child will be held securely in case of accidents. Popular models are equipped with a restraint system that is capable of accommodating infants and toddlers in a supine or rear-facing position. Most of these also have an airbag that is automatically activated upon collision.
When deciding on which brand or model to purchase, safety is one of the top criteria that parents consider. Although baby car seats in the U.S. have to pass first strict crash tests approved according to federal government safety standards, there are some models that include additional features for a more secure installation. However, an incorrectly installed unit will defeat its purpose of safety no matter how loaded with features the model is.
Strollers For Toddlers
The best baby car seats usually have slight variations when it comes to installation. It is thus important to first read carefully the user's manual to ensure that the base of the car seat rests securely on the vehicle seat. There are different ways of installing them on vehicles including seat belt, latch, tethers, and locking clips.
A properly installed unit does not budge easily even if you grab or tug the harness that anchors it in place. The best baby car seats like Britax Marathon 70 Convertible, Cosco Apex 65, and Chicco KeyFit 30 usually offer a combination of installation options for holding your child securely. Some of these models even have an indicator that will help you determine if it is installed to the right angle. In case you are having trouble with the installation procedures, asking the guidance of safety technician that specializes on child safety will do.
Car seat use can differ in terms of the age and weight of the child using it. For instance, rear-facing models are often recommended for newborns until 1 year of age. It's allowable weighing capacity is about 20 lbs. When rear-facing models are used, the advisable maximum height allowance of babies using it must be one inch from the top part of the unit being used. A forward facing unit on the other hand is best used by older children usually aged 4 years or more.
The best baby car seats that you can purchase accommodate both rear and forward facing options. An example of this is the Britax Boulevard CS that allows transition between these two positions so that you need not buy a new model as your child grows older.