Purchasing a car seat for your child is probably one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. Since there are a lot of models and types of car seat that are available in the market right now, it’s hard to know where to start and what to choose.
What Makes Car Seats Important?
It is required by law that you should use a child car seat in your vehicle. According to the law, when traveling with children in a van, car, or goods vehicle, a proper child car seat should be used, regardless of whether the child is sitting in the front or rear seat of the vehicle.
This is a must until the child reaches either 12 years old or 135cm tall, whichever comes first. Once they have reached this stage, they can use a seat belt. However, there are a few exceptions. Take note that it is the responsibility of the driver to make sure that children under 14 years old are properly restrained in accordance with the law.
How Do Car Seats Work?
Generally, seatbelts are the primary system used to effectively and safely restrain passengers in a vehicle. But unfortunately, seatbelts do not properly fit children as well as babies. That is why it is less effective when it comes to protecting children and babies. And in some cases, it can even result in injury. The good news is that child car seats can efficiently and safely restrain children during a collision.
Children should not be treated as smaller adults since they have different proportions and their bones are not completely formed, at the same time, their skeletal structure won’t be able to protect and cover their internal organs.
The head and neck of a child require greater support. However, all of these will change as the child grows older, which means that the restraint system they require will also change. When they become adults, they need to use seatbelts, which can provide them with the same protection.
Are Car Seats Effective?
Based on evidence, car seats are quite effective when it comes to preventing serious injuries and even death during collisions. According to a Swedish study, using the rearward-facing child seat can help decrease the occurrence of injury by 90% in comparison to not having any restraining system at all.
While forward facing seats allow the seat belt to be positioned correctly and can help reduce the risk of injury by 77%, specifically for children who are 4 to 10 years old.
Are There Expiration Dates in Car Seats?
Take note that in the UK, their car seats do not have any expiration dates. However, most manufacturers recommend that child car seats should be upgraded or replaced at least after five years.
The reason behind this is that child car seats keep on upgrading and improving. Nevertheless, some car seats that are available on the market right now are appropriate for children up to 36kg.
Hence, they are designed to last longer. It is also recommended that in case you have encountered a collision, you should replace your car seat right away.
Information You Need Before Purchasing Car Seats
Ultimately, most car seat retailers will help you in choosing a suitable car seat, however, they may ask you some questions about your vehicle and child so they can offer you the most appropriate car seats. Below are some of the questions that the retailer might ask you:
- What is the child’s age, weight, and height?
- What type of vehicle will the car seat be used in?
- Is your vehicle seat using ISOFIX points or underfloor storage?
So, before purchasing a car seat, be sure to answer these questions to make sure that you have the information needed to enable the retailer to help you in choosing the appropriate child car seat. It is important that the car seat fits both the vehicle and the child.
Is Your Vehicle Using ISOFIX Points?
ISOFIX allows the child seats to be attached easily and securely into the car. Generally, fitting points are embedded into the child car seats and cars while they’re being manufactured.
To install an ISOFIX car seat, it will be attached to its corresponding fitting points, hence, there is no need to use the seatbelts to secure it. To prevent the car child seat from rotating or tilting during an impact, an additional support leg or top tether will be installed.
If you don’t know if your vehicle has ISOFIX points, then try to search for ISOFIX labels which can be found between the back and base of your car seats. You can also look for the fitting points themselves.
Another way is to verify it in your vehicle’s handbook, or you can get in touch with your dealer or manufacturer. In case there are no ISOFIX points in your car, then you’ll have to choose a car seat that can be installed using the seatbelt.
Is It Ok If Your Child Will Be Rearward Facing for A Long Time?
It is a must that babies should be carried using rearward-facing baby seats. This is because rearward-facing seats offer more protection on the baby’s neck, head, and spine compared to forward-facing seats. But most parents think their child would want to face forward, that is why when traveling they prefer their child to face forwards.
Keep in mind that if your child has exceeded the weight capacity of the car seat, or they’ve grown too tall, and they cannot fit anymore, then your child should move to the succeeding stage of the car seat. There are two choices for you, you could either use an extended rearward-facing child car seat or you can let the child use a forward-facing child car seat.
With an extended rearward-facing child car seat, your child can travel rear-facing for a long period of time, usually, up to four years of age, or even up to six years of age.
Can The Car Seat Fit into The Vehicle?
Sadly, car seats are not created equal, hence, they do not fit in all vehicles. That is why it is important that you should verify its compatibility before buying.
To do this, you can work with a qualified car seat fitter so they can try different types of seats in your car. Keep in mind that if you’re going to use the seat in other vehicles, then you should check if it is compatible with them.
Where Should the Car Seat Be Installed?
When traveling with a child, it is much safer to place them in the rear seats rather than in the front seats. You should avoid placing a rearward-facing child seat in the front in case it has an active passenger airbag. This is fatal and illegal as well since if the airbag goes off, it could hit the child seat and cause it to fling forward with force.
LCR Services is a high-volume cut & sew manufacturer that specializes in car seats. We also manufacture different kinds of tactical gear. If you require any of these services, then you may contact us at 602-200-4277 or send us an email at sennsour@lcrsvcs.com.
