When it comes to car seats, there are many different factors you need to take into consideration if you have a very young child who rides in the vehicle with you. For example, you should review the installation instructions carefully and the guidelines for your child based on their size. It is important to look at the different types of car seats and replace car seats when necessary.
Regrettably, some parents fail to take these factors into account and their children are seriously hurt (or even killed) during the impact of a crash. Car seats provide a lot of protection for young children, but parents do not always understand the guidelines based on their child’s size.
Looking at rear-facing seats and forward-facing seats
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, rear-facing seats are the best option for very young children. These seats protect a child’s spinal cord and neck during a motor vehicle collision. When a child grows, switching to a forward-facing seat is ideal. Some parents buy all-in-one car seats, which allow them to place their child in a rear-facing position when they are very young before changing to a forward-facing position and a booster seat when the child is older.
Looking at booster seats
Booster seats allow children to sit higher so that the vehicle’s seat belt fits the child correctly. There are different types of booster seats, such as those that offer head and neck support for vehicles without headrests and backless booster seats. Ultimately, you need to review your child’s height and weight when deciding which seat is best for them and always make sure that they are safely restrained when you are on the road.
