A child can’t function properly without the supervision and care of an adult. Every youngster, from infants to preteens, must be safely buckled in by the driver at all times. The cervical spines of children are more malleable, and their heads are more significant than their bodies. Kids are more likely to be injured in collisions due to their giant heads and higher centres of gravity. As a result, neck injuries are more common in youngsters than adults. So car seats like booster seats are pretty important.
How To Choose Between The Three Common Types Of Car Seats?
Some of the most common kinds of car seats are:
Backward-Facing Safety Seat: From Infancy Up To At Least Two Years Of Age
When transporting a baby, experts recommend placing them in a car seat facing the back of the vehicle. The minimum age to do it is 2, although four is preferable. Keep them in that position until the kid outgrows the rear-facing seat’s height and weight restrictions.
Age Range For Forward-Facing Child Safety Seats: 2 To 5
Once a youngster reaches the rear-facing car seat’s height and weight restrictions, it is time to transition to a forward-facing car seat. The age range for which this is recommended is between 2 and 5.
If You’re 5 Or Older, Or Until Your Seat Belt Doesn’t Fit Properly, You Should Use A Booster Seat
The forward-facing car seat should be replaced with a booster seat until the kid is of an appropriate height and weight for the vehicle’s seat belt.
Intriguing Facts:
- It’s important to double-check your car seat’s weight limit with the manufacturer since the harness weight limit is occasionally lower. The maximum weight limit applies to using the car seat with a seat belt after your kid has reached the maximum weight limit for the harness.
- Booster seats are no longer necessary for children after the regular seat belt fits them. The lap belt has to be worn over the upper thighs and the shoulder belt across the chest.
- Don’t risk your life by driving with a youngster in your arms. A child’s body acts as a single mass of inertial mass, turning it into a projectile even in low-speed impacts. They may be propelled throughout the cabin. It may be far more dangerous than if they were hit as a pedestrian.
Choosing The Right Child Safety Seat
The following should be taken into account while choosing a car seat for your child:
- Are your child’s age, weight, and size a good fit for the car seat?
- Will the car seat be a good fit for your automobile? Is the chair big enough for the safety belt? Will it work if you plug it in?
- Is the car seat all you need?
- Never use a seat involved in an accident. A vehicle seat may seem in good condition, but it may have structural damage that is invisible to the naked eye.
- Do not use a car seat after its expiration date has passed. Like every consumer product, car seats have a shelf life. The production date is often written on a label attached to the side or bottom of a car seat. If this is the case, discard the seat after six years from the date of manufacture.
Conclusion
Please only buy used booster seats from a reputable dealer (i.e. family or friends). Don’t waste your money on garage sales or online classifieds. Don’t take anything from a friend or relative unless you’re pretty sure you know where it came from, you have the original instructions, and the gadget isn’t too old. Find out the age at the manufacturer suggests you switch out the seat.
