See What Car Seats By Age Tricks The Celebs Are Utilizing
Car Seats by Age
Car seats are available in a variety sizes and shapes, but each one is designed to safeguard children based on their age. It is recommended that children ride in their seat until they meet the manufacturer's weight or height limits, and then use an extra seat until the vehicle belts are properly fitted, usually when they attain 4 feet 9 inches tall or age 10 to 12.
When looking for a new seat look for features such as fabrics that are resistant to staining and pieces that can easily be machine-washed. Hardware that is easy to clean should be considered.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seat cradles babies and toddlers to protect their necks and spines from a crash. They're also safer as they distribute the impact force over more of a larger area which minimizes the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.
Parents are often enticed by the thought of bringing their children to a forward-facing seat before they're ready. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises to keep them rear-facing for as long as possible. The manufacturer will inform you when your child is ready to move forward facing infant car seat-facing.
The heads of children are huge in relation to their body and is still developing. This makes them vulnerable to injury in a crash. A child's head can generate up to 25 times the weight of their body in an accident which is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is the reason why children who are in a car seat facing to the side are at a higher risk of fatal head injuries.
Many parents believe that their kids have bigger necks than older kids, so they'll be able to make the transition to an forward-facing car seat faster. It's important to keep it in mind that a child who is 95th percentile isn't stronger than a child who is 5th percentile, and that no amount of push-ups performed by teens will change this. In the case of a car accident the head of a bigger child will likely be struck with greater force. This can result in brain and spinal cord injury.
When your child has outgrown their infant car seat, you can switch them into a convertible car seat that allows them to remain rear-facing until they reach the maximum height or weight limit. Typically, children be the first to reach their height limit, so it's important to be attentive to the car seat manufacturer's instructions on when to change to forward-facing mode.
When your child reaches the weight limit of their convertible car seat or height limit, you'll require them to be moved to the booster. The majority of booster seats come with an integrated angle indicator that informs you that the seat is installed and ready to flip to face forward. It is recommended to use a booster seat on the back seat of your vehicle, and only with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the best protection for your child in the event of a crash.
Forward-facing
Many parents are enticed to turn their babies' car seats around as they grow older, because it seems more convenient. They must remember, however that rear-facing seats are an option that is safer for children.
A baby who is facing forward in a car seat puts their necks in danger in a crash, because the head could be thrown by force against the seat in front and can cause permanent injury to the spine. Even if a child's neck muscles are strong enough, it is still possible for them to experience whiplash. This is particularly the case for children with smaller necks such as infants who are less than a year old.
A child facing in the direction of the driver is more likely hit his head on the dashboard, or even a window in the event of a crash. Depending on the nature of the crash and speed at which the vehicle is traveling, the head can be forced back against the seat and may break the skull or the spinal cord.
The current safety standards mandate that children remain rear-facing until they attain 20 pounds and one year old age. The reason is that younger children do not have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on crash which is the most dangerous type of car accident.
Using a harness and tether when facing rear helps ensure that the child's head is stable and reduces strain on their necks. A rear-facing child will also be less prone to head injuries because the impact will be cushioned by their seat.
When you have a child under a year in a convertible car seat or an all-in-one seat that can switch from rear facing infant car seat to forward-facing, make sure to read the manufacturer's guidelines about when it is safe for your child to face the front. The guidelines will explain whether or not you should use a tether, as well as the height and weight limits for that seat.
When your child is past the rear-facing limit of a car seat, they can travel in a forward-facing seat with tether and harness until they reach the maximum weight or height limit set by their car seat's manufacturer. Once they've outgrown it, you can now take them on a trip with a booster.
Booster seat
There is no age limit or height when children can safely stop using booster seats. The booster seat should be used until a child's belt fits properly. This can occur anywhere between 8 and 13 years old.
A booster can increase the height of a child so that they are able to sit upright in cars. The shoulder portion of a belt is also placed so that it is close to the chest, but not directly above. The lap portion of the belt should be placed across the thighs and not on the stomach. Booster seats come with belt guides that help to ensure the belt is properly placed.
Booster seats are available with or without a rearrest. The most common booster seat is the high-back type that provides neck and head support for children. This is a good choice for vehicles with low backs and no headrests. Backless boosters are cheaper but they don't offer head or neck support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow users to switch between booster and harness modes, which makes them suitable for children who are in harness mode until about 65 pounds, and later as an adult booster seat until about 100 pounds.
Certain boosters have a lower anchors system (LATCH) which connects to the vehicle's lower anchors and a tether in the event that it is available. Others require the vehicle seat belt to secure them in position. Review the instruction manual for your vehicle to determine if you are able to use the lower anchors inside your car, and read the booster seat instructions to learn how to utilize them.
Some parents may be enticed to move their 30-pound 3-year-old child into an adult car seat since the child is getting too tall to fit into a harness seat. But rushing to "graduate" your child out of the harness can be dangerous. If the belt is too loose children could be seriously injured or even killed in an accident.
Back seat
Every child should use the child safety or booster seat correctly installed for as long as they're able. Children who are too big for a rear facing car seat, or who have exceeded the weight and height limits and should be switched to a forward-facing restraint that has a harness until they attain the maximum height for this type of seat.
When your baby is no longer in the infant car seats uk car seat, they can be transferred to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that also has a rear-facing seat. These seats typically last for two years or until the child reaches the maximum height and weight of the seat. Install the car safety seat on the middle seat of your vehicle. It can be securely fastened with the lower anchor system and seat belt.
When your child outgrows their rear-facing car seat it is possible to place them in a child restraint that is front-facing equipped with a harness and tether. These seats are usually used until your child is 57 inches in height or reaches the maximum weight and height guidelines for the seat. You can find out how tall and heavy the car seat is by studying the instructions of the manufacturer, or by looking at a tag attached to the seat.
All children older than 5 years old should be seated in a booster seat or a vehicle's lap belt as much as possible. If they can't, they should use the middle back seat restraint. Additionally it is not recommended to sit in the front seat if there is an airbag that is active. Sitting children in the front seat could increase their chances of injury in a crash, because the impact forces are stronger on their smaller bodies.
It's a good idea to take your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station for assistance in choosing and installing the best child safety seat. They can also find out whether your car seat is being recalled due to defects or safety issues. You can then buy one that is compatible with your vehicle and child's height. If you're not able try a seat before buying be sure that it comes with a return policy.