Monday, April 30, 2012

Finding Your First Babies Car Seat

By Carrie Westengate


Getting a babies car seat is a fundamental piece of safety equipment once you start having children. It doesn't matter if you don't own a car, it is still something you need to consider for when you are in any car with baby.

Apart from the fact that it is illegal for you to allow your little one to travel without a babies car seat, being constrained within a specially designed seat protects the fragility of a young child from serious injury or death. A small child acts like a missile if they are not secured during an accident; they can easily be thrown from the vehicle, injure themselves or someone else in the vehicle in just seconds.

Don't just buy the first car seat you see, do your research and you will find a plethora of seats all claiming a range of safety features. All such features are worth having, but perhaps some more so than others. You can also look out for good reviews from independent bodies such as the Which magazine etc.

A rear-facing babies car seat is important for a new born, and should be used for as long as possible. It is also important that you get the right size seat for your child's age and/or weight to protect the child properly. For example, Group One will take you from 9 months to 4 years old, or 9-18 kg in weight.

Isofix system fixings will simply and safely secure the seat directly to the car structure without having to use an adult seat belt. The majority of modern cars now have Isofix fittings, but do check first if you get an Isofix seat. Isofix greatly reduces the chance of not fitting the seat properly - a badly fitted seat is another cause of injury to children in car accidents. A 5-point harness with adjustable straps for the growing infant will securely hold the child in the seat and well padded sides will protect from the side and make the child more comfortable.

Ensure you do your research thoroughly when choosing your babies car seat. Try and buy new if at all possible, but if buying second-hand, be extra careful. Check for signs of wear and tear on the straps, that fixings are still strong and whether the seat has not been involved in any collisions, if it has, move on as the structure could be compromised.




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