The Most Pervasive Problems With Baby Seat
How to Install a Baby Seat Correctly A baby seat (also called a child safety seat, infant car seat or car seat) is a crash-tested, regulated seat which protects children from harm or death during car accidents. Babies should be in rear-facing infant seats until they reach the weight limit or height that is set by the manufacturer of their seat. Easy Installation Even the most premium car seats could be dangerous if they are not installed correctly. Easy installation is therefore one of the most important factors to look out for when buying car seats. It's worth taking the time to learn the proper method of installation for your particular vehicle, and to practice installing the seat in a safe empty vehicle before your the baby arrives (or in the case of already a toddler). The first step is to go through the manual for your car seat. You can skip the table of contents and go straight to the index. Look for the “child safety seats” section. The exact instructions will differ based on the brand and model of your vehicle, however the majority of them have a designated area in the back of the vehicle for children's seats. You should also consider whether your car is equipped with LATCH and what kind of anchors it has for lower, as some seats use different types. The most suitable infant car seats will include a system that is easy to use with clear instructions as well as a color-change indicator to indicate when the anchors in the lower are properly connected. Many models will click when properly secured, which is a method to verify that the seat is secure. If you're looking to add safety, buy seats that have an easy-to install base and load leg. This prevents the seat from being a projectile in the event of a crash, and will also stop it from tipping during the braking. It is also important to consider the combined weight of the base and the seat. You don't want a large, bulky seat to be too heavy to carry. If you're unsure what to do to install your car seat, it could be helpful to seek advice from a certified child passenger safety technician. They are trained to instruct parents and caregivers how to put in car seats safely, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration maintains a directory of inspection stations. Easy to Use A baby seat, also known as an infant safety seat or car seat is designed to cradle and protect the smallest children. A majority of them have a base which can be used as a convertible seat or carrier. The base is usually one with a buckle that remains in the vehicle. A lot of them are light and include stroller attachments that allow parents or caregivers to take the child from one vehicle to the next without waking them. pushchairsandprams.uk sets standards for car seats in accordance with weight, height and age to ensure that children are safe in an accident. These standardizations, also known as federal motor vehicle safety regulations (FMVSR) are the guidelines used by manufacturers in the develop and test their products. To be sold in the United States, a seat must pass these tests. A lot of infant seats, particularly the ones that are less expensive, have a harness and headrest made of plastic. They are designed to absorb a portion of the force generated by the crash by crushing and dispersing the force. The more expensive models could use a soft, more flexible foam, which can better protect the child's body from the shock of a collision. The EPS foam is a popular material used in safety devices that require to be light and resistant to impact, such as helmets and car seats. A good car seat should include five-point harness. It should be connected at the hips, shoulders and between the legs. It should also come with the top tether, which will keep the child safe in the event of an accident. The straps must have an option that allows them to be adjusted in tension and loosen. This can be accomplished by pressing the button or pulling a lever located between the child's knees. Check to see if the car seat is able to fit in the other vehicles in your family, If you plan to use it frequently. Some manufacturers have guides online that show how their seats fit in different family vehicles. The use of Isofix connectors which are built into the seat and connect to the vehicle's anchor points in a a single click, can make this process easier. Safety A car seat is among the most effective methods to ensure that children are safe. Parents are constantly working to shield their children from illnesses as well as injuries from bullying and sports. A child restraint system reduces the risk of injury by more than 70% compared with unrestrained adults, but only if utilized correctly. Unfortunately, some Canadian and American studies indicate that 73 percent of car seats are used in a way that isn't. Picking a car seat with a 5-point harness is one of the best ways to ensure your baby or toddler will be safe in the event of a crash. The 5-point harness helps to distribute the impact force over a larger part of the body. This decreases the chance of injuries. The harness also holds the car seat securely in place, which means it won't move too much during a collision and increase your child's chance of injury. The best infant car seats have a well padded seat that is comfortable for your child and provides plenty of head support. Some of them even come with special energy-absorbing foam and other features that safeguard your baby's chest and head in the event of a collision with a car. Don't buy or borrow a car seat at garage sales, flea markets or second-hand stores because you don't know its history or if it was involved in an accident. Also, avoid using a seat that's more than six years old. Before installing a seat for your child ensure that the latch is secure and that the straps are secure. Don't let your child wear bulky clothing while they are in the seat. The fabric could compress during an accident, which can leave the harness straps loose. This increases the chance of injury for your child. You'll need a booster or convertible seat after your child has outgrown the height and weight limit of an infant seat. The manual of the seat will provide the recommended weights and ages. Reliability A child safety seat or baby car seat is a crash tested device that is used to hold infants and children in vehicles. The device secures the child using a harness, and in certain models, it can be used to cradle them and move along with them in an accident to lessen the strain on their necks and spinal cords. It is vital that the child's seat is fitted correctly to your vehicle, and that it is properly used every time you drive. A system that detects and makes public the unintended consequences of consumer or medical products, such as car seats – could prove beneficial for parents. Similar to the phase IV trials which study unknown adverse effects of pharmaceutical drugs after they are marketed, such a system could gather data from doctors who treat injuries from car seats and encourage patients to report any issues to Transport Canada (9). Read the manual before installing your child's seat. Many car seats come with instructions that will show you how to install the seat in your vehicle. Some manufacturers also provide online tutorials. If you're sharing your car or travel with family members often, consider buying a child's seat that has Isofix connectors built in to make installation easier. If you own an older car seat, or a second-hand model, ensure it hasn't been involved in any recent serious or moderate crashes. Check that the car seat is not damaged or recalled. Read the instructions carefully to ensure that your child can sit up straight and that their knees are able to be bent without difficulty over the edge of the seat and that they can wear a shoulder belt and a lap belt that is low-level on their hips. Certain children have special needs or physical or behavioral conditions that require a specially-designed car seat specifically designed for children with special needs. It is recommended to transport them in a seat specially designed for them, and properly installed. Check with your pediatrician and local public health services to find out more.