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Car Seats by Age
Each car seat is designed to fit a certain age group. Children should be in their car seat until they are at the maximum weight or height limit set by the manufacturer. After that, they can utilize a booster until the belts of their vehicle fit properly and they're usually between 10 and 12 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall.
When you are searching for a new seat, consider features such as fabric that resists stains and pieces that are removable that can easily be machine-washed. Hardware that is easy to clean should be taken into consideration.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats cradle babies and toddlers, protecting their delicate necks and spines in the event of a crash. They also offer greater safety, as they distribute the impact force over a greater area. This reduces the risk of the chance of injury to the spinal cord.
Parents are often tempted by the thought of moving their children forward facing before they're ready. However the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that you keep them rear-facing for as long as possible. The manufacturer will let you know when your child is ready to move forward-facing.
Children's heads are large relative to their bodies, and are growing, which makes them more vulnerable to crash. A child's head is capable of generating up to 25 times the weight of their body in a collision, which is more than enough force to cause fatal injury. This is the reason why children who are in a car seat facing forward are at the greatest chance of suffering fatal head injuries.
Many parents think that their kiddos have bigger necks than older kids, so they'll be able to transition to a forward-facing car seat sooner. But it's important to remember that a child who is in the 95th percentile isn't any more powerful than the 5th percentile child and no amount of push-ups for teens will change the fact that. In the case of a car crash, the head of a bigger child is likely to hit with much more force, which could cause brain and spinal cord injuries.
When your child has outgrown their infant car seat travel car seat, you can convert to a convertible seat that lets them remain facing the rear until they reach the maximum height or weight limit. Children usually attain their maximum height first. So, it's crucial to follow the directions of the manufacturer of the car seat on when you can switch them to forward-facing mode.
When your child reaches the weight limit or height of their convertible car seat, it's time to place them in a booster seat. The majority of booster seats come with a built-in angle indicator that informs you that the seat is installed and ready to change into forward-facing mode. You should only use a booster seat in the back of your vehicle, and only with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the best car seats for newborns uk protection for your child in case of crash.
Forward-facing
Many parents are enticed to change their children's car seats around as they get older because it seems more convenient. But they must keep in mind that rear-facing is safer for children.
In the event of a crash that involves the baby facing towards the front, the neck is at risk. The head can be thrown against the front seat with force, causing permanent spine damage. Even if the child's neck muscles are strong enough, it's still possible for them to experience whiplash. This is particularly true for younger children like infants.
A child who is 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 the speed at which the car is moving, the head can be pushed into the seat and could fracture the skull or spinal cord.
The current safety standards require that children remain rear-facing until they are 20 pounds and one year of age. This is because children younger than one year don't have the neck strength to withstand the forces in a head-on collision which is the most serious kind of accident in which automobiles are involved.
The harness and tether will aid in keeping the child's head steady which reduces neck strain. A child who is rear-facing will also be less likely to sustain head injuries as 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-1 seat that can switch from front-facing to rear ensure that you read the manufacturer's guidelines about when it is safe for your child to be facing the front. The guidelines of the manufacturer will inform you whether or not a tether is needed and what the maximum weight and height requirements are for that particular seat.
Once your child is at the maximum height or weight allowed by the car seat manufacturer, they are able to use a forward-facing seat that has a tether. When they've outgrown this, it's time to move into the booster seat.
Seat booster
There is no age or height limit when children can safely stop using booster seats. The booster seat should be used until a child's belt fits properly. This could occur anytime between 8 and 13 years old.
A booster raises a child's height so that they are able to sit upright in the car. It also aligns the shoulder portion of the belt so it is near but not directly over the chest. The lap portion of the belt should rest across the thighs, not over the stomach. Booster seats include a belt guide to ensure that the belt is properly placed.
Booster seats can be purchased with or without backrests. The most common booster seat is the high-back type that offers neck and head support for children. This is a good option for vehicles that have low backs and no headrests. Backless boosters are more affordable however they do not provide neck or head support. Some all-in-one boosters permit you to switch between booster and harness modes, making them suitable for children who are in harness mode up to 65 pounds and then as a booster seat for 100 pounds.
Some boosters are equipped with a lower anchors (LATCH) system that hooks onto the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether if one is available. Others require the seat belt to keep them in place. Go through the manual of your car to determine if you are able to use the lower anchors in your vehicle, and then read the instructions for booster seats to learn how to use them.
Some parents may be enticed to transfer their 30-pound 3-year-old child into a booster car seat due to the fact that the child is becoming too tall for a harness seat. It's risky to "graduate" the child from a harness. Children can be injured or even killed if their belt is not secure enough in an accident.
Back seat
All children should ride in the back of a vehicle for as long as is possible using a child safety seat or booster seat that is properly installed. Children who are too tall for a rear-facing car seat, or have exceeded its weight and height limits should move to a forward-facing child safety seat with a harness until they're too tall for this type of seat.
After your baby outgrows an infant car seat they can be moved to a convertible, or an all-in-one car seat that has an open rear-facing position. Usually, these seats can be used up to two years, or until your child outgrows the seat's height and weight limit. If you have a car with a middle-seat, install the car safety seat so it can be secured tightly in this position using the lower anchor system or seat belt.
If your child has grown out of their rear-facing seats, you can put them in a forward facing infant car seat-facing restraint with a harness. Typically, these seats can be used until 57 inches in height or until your child reaches the top rated baby car seats weight and height limits of the seat. You can find out how tall and heavy the car seat is by reading the instructions of the manufacturer, or by examining the tag on the seat.
All older children must be seated in the booster seat or on a lap belt in the vehicle as much as possible. If they aren't able to utilize the middle back seat restraint. They should also not sit in front when the airbag is activated. Children who are in the front seat are more likely to suffer injuries in a collision because their bodies are smaller.
You can take your child to an inspection station or car seat clinic to receive assistance selecting and installing the correct child safety seat. You can also determine if your car seat has been recalled for flaws or safety concerns. You can then choose a seat that is suitable for your car and the child's height. If you can't try out a seat, see if it has a policy for refunds.