Car seats are available in a variety shapes and sizes however, they are all designed to safeguard children according to their age. Children should be in their car seat until they reach the maximum weight or height limit set by the manufacturer. Then, they are able to use a booster until their belts of their vehicle fit properly typically when they are between 10 and 12 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall.
If you are looking for a new chair, look for features such as fabric that is resistant to stains and removable pieces that are machine washable. Hardware that is easy to clean is also taken into consideration.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats cradle infants and toddlers to protect their necks and spines from injuries in a crash. They’re also safer because they spread the impact force over a larger surface area which reduces spinal cord injuries.
Parents are often tempted to move their kids into forward-facing car seats before they’re ready, however the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends to keep them rear-facing as long as it is possible. The manufacturer will inform you when your child is ready to move forward.
Heads of children are large in relation to their bodies and still developing, making them more vulnerable to crash. The head of a child can generate up to 25 times the weight of their body in an accident, which is more than enough force to cause fatal injury. This is why children of the ages of 5 and under are at the greatest risk of sustaining fatal head injuries when they sit in a car seat that is facing the front.
Many parents think that their kids have stronger necks than older kids, so they’ll be able to transition to a forward-facing car seat sooner. However, it’s important to realize that a baby who is 95th percentile isn’t any stronger than the 5th percentile child and no amount of push-ups for teens can alter the fact that. In the event of a car crash, a larger child’s head is likely to be hit with greater force. This can result in injuries to the spinal cord or brain.
If your child is outgrowing their car seat for infants, you can convert them to a convertible car that allows them to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or the height limit. Generally, children will reach the height limit first, so it’s important to pay close attention to the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your car seat on when you should switch to forward-facing.
When your child reaches the weight limit or height of their convertible car seat, you’ll have to get them into a booster seat. The majority of booster seats have an indicator for angles to inform you when the seat is correctly installed and is ready to be flipped to forward-facing mode. It is recommended to use a booster seat on the back of your vehicle, and only with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the most secure protection for your Maxi-Cosi Tanza ISOFIX Child Car Seat Grey in a crash.
Forward-facing
Many parents are tempted to switch their kids’ car seats when they grow older, because it seems more practical. But they should remember, that rear-facing is an option that is safer for children.
In a crash with an infant facing towards the front the neck is at risk. The head can be placed against the seat and cause permanent damage to the spine. Whiplash can still occur even if the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly true for smaller kids that aren’t yet a year old.
A child who is facing in the direction of the driver is more likely hit his head on the dashboard, or even a window in a crash. Based on the kind of crash takes place and the speed at which the car is moving, the head could be hit against the seat. This can cause fractures to the skull or spinal chord.
The current safety standards require that kids remain rear-facing until they are 20 pounds and one year of age. The reason is that younger children do not have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on crash which is the most dangerous kind of car accident.
The harness and tether help keep the child’s head stable, reducing neck strain. A child facing the rear will be less likely to suffer head injuries, as the impact will be cushioned by their seat.
If you have a child younger than one year old and is in a convertible seat or an all-in-one which can be changed from rear-facing to forward-facing at any time, read the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine if it’s safe for them to face forward. The guidelines of the manufacturer will inform you whether or whether a tether is required and what the maximum weight and height requirements are for that particular seat.
Once your child has reached the maximum height or weight permitted by the car seat manufacturer, they are able to travel with a forward-facing seat that has a tether. When they’ve reached that point, you can now take them on a trip with a booster.
Booster seat
There isn’t a set age or height at which children are able to safely stop using a booster seat. Kids should use it until the belt is properly fitted and that could happen between the ages of 8 and 13.
A booster raises the height of a child, so that they can sit upright in a car. The shoulder part of a belt is set so that it sits close to the chest, but not over. The lap part of the belt should be placed across the thighs and not the stomach. Booster seats are equipped with a belt guides to help ensure the belt is properly positioned.
Booster seats can be purchased with or without a rearrest. The most common booster seat is the high-back that offers neck and head support for children. It’s a good choice for vehicles with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters are more affordable however they do not provide neck or head support. Some all-in one boosters let you switch between boost and harness modes. They are suitable for children weighing up to 65 pounds in harness mode and up to 100 pounds as boosters.
Some boosters are equipped with a lower anchors (LATCH) system that connects onto the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether if one is available. Some boosters require the seat belt to keep them in place. Check your vehicle’s manual to determine if you are able to use the lower anchors inside your car, and read the booster seat instructions to learn how to utilize them.
Parents may be enticed to transfer their 30-pound 3-year-old child into a booster car seat due to the fact that the child is becoming too tall to fit into the harness seat. But rushing to “graduate” your child from the harness can be dangerous. Children can be injured or even killed if their belt is too loose in an accident.
Back seat
Every child should use a child safety seat or booster seat installed correctly for as long as they’re able. Children who are too tall for a rear-facing car seat, or have outgrown its height and weight limits should be moved to a forward-facing child restraint with a harness until they’re too tall for this type of seat.
When your child is no longer able to fit in an infant car seat they can be transferred to a convertible, or an all-in-one car seat with a rear-facing seat. These seats are generally good for two years or until the child is at the maximum height and weight of the seat. Install the car safety seat in the middle seat of your vehicle. It can be securely fastened with the lower anchor system and seat belt.
If your child is out of their rear-facing seat you can put them in a front-facing restraint with a harness. These seats are generally used until your child reaches the height of 57 inches or attains the maximum weight and height recommendations for the seat. The manufacturer’s instructions or the tag on the car seat will inform you how tall and heavy it can support.
All children older than 5 years old should be seated in the booster seat or on a lap belt in the vehicle as much as possible. If not, they should use a back seat restraint that is located in the middle of the back seat. In addition it is not recommended to sit in the front seat when there’s an air bag that is in use. Children who are in the front seat are more likely to be injured in a collision because their bodies are smaller.
You can take your child to an inspection station or car seat clinic for assistance in choosing and installing the right child safety seat. They can also find out if your car seat has been recalled for flaws or safety concerns. You can then choose a seat that fits both your car and the child’s height. If you can’t try out a seat, check to whether it has a policy for refunds.