Think Car Seat When You Put A Child In A Vehicle

In honor of the birth of my second grandchild less than two weeks ago let’s talk about car seats for infants and all small children. An article at Medical News Today says what needs to be said. “A car seat is perhaps the most important piece of baby equipment that you will ever buy. Since an unsecured child could easily be injured in the event of a car crash, you’ll want to make sure that you purchase a car seat that has a stellar safety record. But how do you know which safety seat represents the best investment? And what are some things you should consider, once you attempt your first test drive with baby in tow?”

In honor of the birth of my second grandchild less than two weeks ago let’s talk about car seats for infants and all small children. An article at Medical News Today says what needs to be said. Some excerpts:

A car seat is perhaps the most important piece of baby equipment that you will ever buy. Since an unsecured child could easily be injured in the event of a car crash, you’ll want to make sure that you purchase a car seat that has a stellar safety record. But how do you know which safety seat represents the best investment? And what are some things you should consider, once you attempt your first test drive with baby in tow?

You need to remember that no single car seat is considered the best. In other words, the best version is the one that is used properly, that accommodates your child comfortably, and that is installed correctly.

No matter which brand of car seat you ultimately choose, you’ll want to keep some key safety rules in mind. First of all, you should use the car seat every time your baby rides in your car. In fact, this practice should begin with your baby’s initial trip home from the hospital. In addition, note that the safest place for children to ride is in the back seat. You should never place a child in a rear-facing car seat in the front seat of a car that has an airbag. There’s too great of a danger that your child will get hurt if you should get into a car accident. Review car seat safety ratings before making your purchase. You may also want to look into baby carriers.

Infant-only car seats are known for being small and portable. In fact, at times they may be part of a larger stroller system. The seats also have a three- or five-point harness for safety’s sake. In general, the seats can be used for babies up to 20 or 22 pounds, depending on which model you choose. Also, a number of infant car seats come with a detachable base which you can leave in the car. Since the seat clicks in and out of the base, you don’t have to re-install it each time you use it. Review infant car seat safety ratings before making your purchase decision.