Toddler Car Seat Safety "different Types and Installation Tips" Your doctor will stress that your child is always sitting in a car seat safety, but what is best for my child. Well all situations are different and not all car seats will work for every child. So here are some tips and facts about the different types of car seats that could help you buy the best car seat. Once your child is at least one year and weighs at least 20 pounds, she can ride forward facing in her car seat. Although studies show that it is even safer for her to ride rear facing for as long as she can do so comfortably.
There are 5 types of car seats that can be used forward facing.
1. Convertible seats are those that can be used rear facing or forward facing.
2. Forward facing child seats can be used forward facing with a harness. These are children who weigh up to 80 pounds. You should check the specifications of each model, because some can not be used up to 40 pounds.
3. There are car seats that can be used forward facing or as a reminder. This is called a combination forward facing / booster seat. These seats can be used forward facing for children weighing up to 40-65 pounds, depending on the model. They can be used as a booster seat without the harness for children weighing 80 to 100 pounds.
4. Some vehicles are manufactured with the car seat facing the right front built in. Read your vehicle owner's manual to know the limits of weight and height of your vehicle. They may vary.
5. Travel vests are a fairly new product on the market. They are a safe alternative for transmitting car seats for children. Travel vests can be useful when you have a vehicle with only the seat belts lap in the back seat. They are perfect to pass another vehicle, so you do not have to take your car seat outside. If you have a small car, they do not take up much room. Travel vests are used for large toddlers who can not fit into a conventional car safety seat or for children who simply do not stay in their seat. They can be used for children 20 pounds all the way up to 168 pounds.
Installation Tips for facing seats
1. The car seat must be securely installed in the car. The harness is snug against your child.
2. Rear shoulder straps should be in the slot at or below the shoulders of your child. To move from a seat convertible to face forward, you must move the straps in the slots at or above the shoulders of your child.
3. With a bit of car seats you may have to adjust the angle of the seat rest.
4. Vehicles manufactured after 2002 must come with the LATCH system. It is used to get car safety seats. If you have that, it must be used. It keeps the car seat safer than regular seatbelt. Consult your owner's manual of your vehicle to see where your tether anchors are located in your car. Use your manual for you particular car seat safety to learn to use this system with your car seat.
Always use your car seat manual and specifications in use and install. Remember, even if you think your toddler is big enough to ride with just a seat belt, statistics show they are not. Even children as young as 4 to 8 years must be in a booster seat. So keep your children safe and use a safety seat.
Posted on August 21, 2010.
