Monday, April 6th, 2009 at
6:44 pm
There are many ways to figure out which is the car seat that will provide your child with the greatest amount of safety. There are many manufacturers out there and you need to know that you have chosen the right car seat for your child. Most of the time the choice is not easy but there are a few things you can look out for.
Have you seen parents walking in the mall with their babies in small carriers with handles? This is an example of car seats meant for infants normally below 30 pounds. They are easy to carry and normally come with extra support for the child’s neck which may still not be strong enough.
Convertible car seats on the other hand are called that as they can be converted from rear facing car seats to front facing car seats. Children grow very fast and a convertible car seat is just perfect as it can be used for a longer time than the infant car seat.
Further options in car seats are in the type of harness that is used to secure the child to the car seat. You should always ensure that the child is properly secured and you have a choice between a 3 point harness car seat and a 5 point harness car seat. Of course the 5 point harness is safer but both are useful.
The whole idea of car seats is child safety. You must ensure that you use a high quality car seat such as the Britax Roundabout convertible car seat to avoid disappointment. You should also ensure that you have properly secured the child to the car seat at all times and the car seat to the car.
Few parents have regretted buying a car seat for their child. They may seem ugly and unsightly in the car but they can go a long way towards ensuring that you and your family have a safe trip.
Friday, April 3rd, 2009 at
3:08 am
For the safety of your child it is best to avoid used car seats. The only way that you should consider a used car seat is if you know the owner and can accurately determine the history and condition of the used car seat. If the seat has been in an accident it is likely not safe.
You need to understand that car accidents can damage a car seat in ways that are not visible to the human eye. But the accident can damage the structural integrity of the whole seat. Buying a used seat like this is putting you’re your ones life in danger.
Another hazard with used child safety seats is that you may not be able to determine if all the parts are there. Even if you do realize something is missing it could be rather difficult to locate a replacement part.
There are lots of places online now were you can get used car seats. Do not be tempted to risk your child’s life to safe a few dollars. You might get a safe seat and you might not. What good is spending less money to only wonder if your child is raiding is a seat that will fail when you need it to protect their life?
Do not make the mistake of risking your child’s life over a used car seat. The only purpose of a car seat is safety. If you compromise that safety factor with a risky seat, then what have you accomplished.
The best idea for all parents is to purchase the best new car seat they can afford. You are talking about the life of your child, what is that worth? For example a great seat to look at is a Britax car seat.
You must remember that if a car seat has been through an auto accident that was more then a slight fender bender it needs to be replaced. The damage it may have sustained during the accident could cause it to fail should you be in another accident.
Unless you know the owner it is best to not purchase a used car seat. Why risk your child’s life? Oh, you might think it is a calculated risk; after all you will not get into an accident. That kind of thinking is where the problem begins. Be smart buy a new one!
Monday, March 30th, 2009 at
4:36 pm
We have all heard of car accidents in which children were seriously injured after becoming airborne. Most of these injuries and fatalities could have been easily preventable if car seats had been used. Seat belts are not enough to protect children in a car especially infants.
Small infants cannot sit or hold their heads up well. This is one of the reasons that you should have them in a car seat that allows them to lie back comfortably. Infants should be placed in a rear facing car seat. The car seat must also be the right size.
Talking to your family and friends should lead you towards a good quality child seat. That is how I found the Britax Frontier booster. Research for a car seat that has a good safety record from the hundreds that are available in the market. This is a major responsibility for every parent who wants to keep their children safe.
A car seat is not a toy that you can play with but an important part of every day life. You should learn how to properly install and also use the car seat. Take the time to read and understand how to install the seat in your car. If you have to, get one of the sales people come and install it for you.
There is a reason why various states and countries have come up with safety requirements for car seats. Not all car seat manufacturers are honest. Never use a car seat that does not at least meet the minimum car seat safety requirements. Doing this may not only lead to a fine but also unnecessary injury to your child.
Education is vital when it comes to child safety. It is a good idea to not only educate children on the importance of car seats but anyone who you leave the child with. You never want to be caught in a situation where the nanny does not know how to properly install a car seat.
Monday, March 23rd, 2009 at
10:34 am
First off, let’s think about why you are concerned about the safety of your child. Exactly what is it that you want to protect them from? From pain; would that be emotional, physical or both? Maybe you want to protect them from death? It is interesting but for some reason most people think a child needs to outlive their parents? Is there something wrong with dying?
Somewhere deep in most of us is the desire to protect and keep our children safe. In some areas we probably do a good job and then in other areas we likely do not do enough while in still other areas we take it to far.
Examine car seat safety now. You buy a car seat thinking it will be safe and protect your child from harm during an automobile accident. But is the seat you spend that money on really going to protect your child? You are trusting the government and the manufacture with your child’s safety. Did you know that not all car seats are build to the same standards? Yes, in fact while some seats just meet the minimum standards and leave a lot of room for improvement there are other child safety seats that have been designed well above the minimums. If you want a great example of a good child safety seat check out the Recaro Start car seat and you will discover that not all car seats are built to the same standards. Here you can think you had your child protected when you may not have.
Consider now the safety devices around the house for you child. How about the draw and cupboard safety gadgets that make it “impossible” for the child to get into the knives and chemicals in kitchens and bathrooms; do they really keep your kids out? There are also safety gates to keep kids out but might cause you to trip and throw your back out. Safety for one does not always mean safety for all.
What abut food? How much do you do to protect a younger child from chocking? For example did you know that popcorn has killed many children? Yes, popcorn is a deadly menace. The little thin parts that often get stuck in your teeth can get stuck in a child’s throat be near impossible to get out. One Doctor who has several kids does not allow any popcorn in the house because he thinks it is that dangerous. Do you protect your child from popcorn?
Monday, March 23rd, 2009 at
10:34 am
No one ever wants to talk about vehicle accidents but the truth of the matter is that they do happen. The best we can do is try to reduce any harm that they can cause. This is especially true with children who normally end up flying even in the most minor mishaps. Car seats can greatly reduce your anxiety if such a thing was to occur.
Modern day car seats other than providing airborne accidents protection have been built with the baby in mind. Since babies have weak necks, the best car seats have some kind of head protection. This adds further protection for the child in both front impact and side impact crashes. You no longer have to worry about your child being uncomfortable or having a bad posture in the car.
Car seats may have been invented for children but the truth of the matter is that they are good for parents too. You no longer have to avoid going to the mall just because it is cumbersome carrying your child. By simply having an infant car seat, you do not even have to move the child from the car seat. Just carry the child in the car seat and go shopping.
The one thing that you have to do as a parent is to choose a good quality car seat. One of the biggest considerations you have to look at is the safety features of the car seats. The best seats such as the britax regent booster car seat have a 5 point safety harness. You should also consider using the car seat for an extended period.
You cannot underestimate the importance of car seats. Many injuries have been avoided by simply installing one. The good thing is that most countries have made their use mandatory. The only thing that you as a parent have to do is to choose the best quality and install it properly.
Wednesday, March 11th, 2009 at
2:37 pm
There are hundreds of car accidents that result in serious injury and even fatalities. Many of these fatalities involve children as passengers. It has been found that most of the injuries and fatalities involving children could have been avoided if car seats were used by the children.
It is only recently that child safety in a car has become headline news. Many can remember riding in the front seat of the car with their parents. This has started being frowned upon by all. Recent studies have shown that in order to improve child safety, it is important to take every precaution even on very short trips.
We take a lot of time shopping for children clothing. Some of us even start shopping for clothes before the child is born. If you have a car, it is essential to also take the time to shop for a car seat. When shopping for one, make sure that you understand how to properly install it. One of the best car seats around is the britax diplomat car seat.
Once you have the car seat, make sure that it is properly fastened to the car as well as the child. Most countries have mandatory requirements for this but the rule of thumb is to always have the car seat at the back and facing away from the driver.
When shopping for your car seat, make sure you have the seat that is the best fit for your child. Children grow fast and there is a temptation to look for a seat that is bigger than the child’s age. This is a temptation you have to avoid. For maximum child safety, always choose the seat that is suited for your child. Most of the seats will have age and weight requirements. All you have to do is follow them.
Child safety is probably the biggest headache that parents have all over the world. The good news is that a few extra hours shopping for the right car seat means peace of mind. All you have to do now is drive safely and be on the lookout for bad drivers.
Wednesday, March 11th, 2009 at
1:36 am
The importance of using car seats for children can not be underestimated. Numerous studies have shown that the use of car seats can save the life of you child during an accident. This has made using car seats a requirement in many countries and greatly reduced unnecessary children injuries.
Have you seen parents in the mall carrying their babies in very tiny contraptions that look like car seats? They probably are car seats and are the easiest to use. This type of car seat has a base that is securely buckled to the vehicle seat. The car seat itself is then lifted off and carried around by the handle. The child is small enough to carry anywhere.
The next type of car seat you will consider will be the convertible car seat such as the britax marathon convertible car seat. In the beginning, the car seat will have to be installed facing backwards. When the baby is old enough or heavy enough, he may then face forward using the convertible car seat. These have strong a 5 point harness buckled to the bottom and chest.
The booster car seat is the next step for the child. In this case the child can now make use of the car’s normal seat belts. The difference is that the child will have to seat on a small base while using the seat belt. You should be very adamant on the child putting the seat belt as at this age they may decline to do so or are able to remove it when your are not looking.
The type of car seat you use will greatly depend on the weight, size and age of the child. The important thing is to ensure that you properly install the seat belt and make sure that the car seat is secure for the child. In most cases you will be using a car seat until the child is the age of twelve. This should ensure that they are safe during any trips.