Top Tips on how to select the right Car Seat
Child safety is something which is always at the front of your mind, regardless of where you are. Whether you are out for a walk with your child, at school or at the swimming pool – safety always comes first. However being in a car presents a bigger risk. Did you know that around 250,000 people are injured from car collisions each year in the UK? We live in a time now of economic crisis where people are trying to cut down on expenditure, however you cannot ever put a price on child safety. Car crashes and knocks can be completely unavoidable on occasions, so take these car seat buying tips fully on board when it comes to purchasing a seat, ultimately giving your child maximum security whilst traveling.
General Car Seat Buying Tips
There are a few questions to ask oneself when it comes to buying car seats for your child.
How much does my child weigh? This is crucial regarding your child’s safety. If your child is above or below the specified weight range, the seat will not effectively be protecting your child or baby in event of an accident.
Will this car seat fit into my car? An obvious question, but surprisingly eighty per cent of people fit their child’s car seat incorrectly. Always ask in store for a free fitting demonstration, so that most importantly YOU know how to fit your child’s car seat!
Do I know the law regarding car seats? Since 2006, law on child seats state that they must ride in a car seat until they are over 135cm, or if they are over twelve years old. Only then are they eligible to use an adult seat belt whilst travelling.
Other great Car Seat Buying Tips
Positioning babies in a rear facing car seat is always the best option for your child. Rear facing seats offer the best possible protection to small babies, for if you were in the instance of a frontal car crash the seat would support your baby’s head and neck. A good tip to go by is that your child should be placed in a rear facing seat until they reach the maximum permissible weight and can sit up unaided. There are many stores that sell rear facing baby seats as standard.
Even though you might think it is safer to do so, NEVER position your child in a passenger seat fitted with a frontal airbag. These can seriously injure your child, since they are designed for protecting adults only.
Another essential tip in regards to child safety is that, a child MUST be kept in a five point harness until he or she is over 18KG (roughly 4 years old). The seat that you purchase must have one fitted, and even though it may be convenient to move them to a seat which is not as buckling-complicated - you will be putting your child at risk if you don’t.
Another top tip is to invest in a HBB (a ‘highback booster’ seat). Your child will fit more comfortably into a HBB, essentially giving more security since due to being more restrained.
If you take on board these tips for buying a car seat for your child or baby, you will be providing your child with the most protection they can receive whilst travelling.
Top Tips on how to select the right Car Seat
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