5 Things Parents Should Look for When Buying a Child Car Seat

When purchasing child car seats at Maxi-Cosi NZ, there are many things that need to be considered before you make your final decision. It is important to get the right safety seat for your child, but if you don’t make sure it fits in your car, you might as well not have one at all.

Trying to strap a bulky car seat into a small vehicle can cause a lot of problems and issues. The best way to avoid this inconvenience is to know what type of car seat will fit into your car. This will make it much easier when you are shopping for one.

1. Table of Contents

   Toggle

   Weight requirements:

This is possibly the most important factor to consider when buying a child car seat. If your child weighs more than the weight limit, then they need a different type of car seat. You must also check whether or not the seat will accommodate the height requirement as well. There are some seats that only go up to 40 inches tall, so you must make sure that the seat will fit your child as they grow.

2. Seat Type

There are three types of car seats: forward facing, rear facing and booster seats. A forward-facing seat is one that is positioned in front of a vehicle’s dashboard and has harness slots that are at or below the child’s shoulders. A rear-facing seat is one that is positioned behind a vehicle’s dashboard and has harness slots that are at or above the child’s shoulders. A booster seat is one that helps position a child properly so that they can safely ride in a vehicle without using a car seat or booster seat while using adult seat belt systems.

3. Check for recalls on the car seat

Although you may be able to find this information online, I also recommend calling the manufacturer directly to ask about any recalls or safety issues regarding their products. If you are unsure about whether or not your child’s car seat has been recalled, then look it up in the manufacturers’ database, which can usually be found on their website.

4. Test

Buy a car seat that has been crash-tested by an independent testing agency. Seats that have been crash tested by the government or other organizations tend to be more reliable than those that haven’t. If a seat lists a certification on its box, then it’s worth taking a look at. If no certification is available, then you should check reviews of the car seat before giving it any consideration.

5. Expiration

Check dates and expiration dates on labels on car seats, especially on harnesses and buckles. These parts are subject to wear and tear over time, so make sure they’re not past their expiration date before buying them. Also make sure that replacement parts won’t be difficult to obtain if you need them down the line.

There are two kinds of car seats for children: Forward-facing, which is generally for toddlers from one year to four years old, and then a booster seat for bigger kids. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children ride in a booster until the vehicle’s seat belt fits properly when they’re sitting on it with the seat belt fastened, usually when they’re 4’9″ or taller.

In addition to choosing the right seat, you’ll also have to consider how to install it properly. There are several steps involved in installing a car seat safely — if you don’t do them right, there’s a good chance your child won’t be protected in the case of an accident.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that roughly one out of every five children who died in car accidents between 2004 and 2009 was improperly restrained at the time of the crash.

Read more: 10 Effective Digital Parenting Tips Every Parent Should Know