Child Car Seats

Match the seat with your child's weight and age and make sure that the seat is anchored securely in the car

A child car seat should be high on your to-buy list. You'll need one to bring your baby home from the hospital and for every car trip thereafter. In fact, hospitals and birthing centers generally won't let you leave by car with your newborn if you don't have one. Every state requires that kids up to 4 years of age ride in a car seat; many require booster seats for older children.


WHAT'S AVAILABLE



The major brands of car seats you're likely to encounter are, in alphabetical order: Baby Trend, Britax, Chicco, Combi, Cosco, Eddie Bauer, Evenflo, Graco, Peg Perego, and Safety 1st. There are also car beds for preemies and other very small newborns if there's a concern that a car seat may not provide a secure fit or that it may exacerbate breathing problems. In addition, there are specially designed car seats for children with physical disabilities. Every model of car seat sold in the U.S. must meet federal safety standards. These are your basic choices:

Infant seats. These rear-facing seats are for babies up to 22 pounds. They allow infants to recline at an angle that doesn't interfere with breathing and protects them best in a crash. Many strollers are now designed to accommodate infant car seats. All infant car-seat models come with a handle, and nearly all have a base that secures to your vehicle with LATCH connections or a vehicle safety belt, a convenience that lets you remove the seat and use it as a carrier. You can strap most infant seats into a car without a base, using the vehicle safety belts, but most people don't use them that way.

Infant seats have either a three-point harness--two adjustable shoulder straps and a lock between the child's legs or--even better--an adjustable five-point system--two straps over the shoulders, two for the thighs, and a crotch strap. The handle usually swings from a position behind the seat's shell when in the car to an upright position for carrying. Remember to swing the handle to the vehicle position before each trip. Slots underneath most seats help them attach to the frame of a shopping cart. (The vast majority of infant car seats have five-point harnesses, but there are a few three-point models still around--though Consumer Reports recommends the five-point version.)

With an infant car seat, you also can move your baby from car to house or vice versa without waking him or her up--a plus for both of you. Note also that extra bases are available so you can keep a secured base in each of your vehicles. Your baby may outgrow an infant car seat quickly and become too heavy for you to use it as a carrier. As a result, you may find yourself having to buy a convertible car seat after your baby is 6 to 9 months old. However, our advice is still to start with an infant seat before moving up to a convertible seat.

Price range: $30 to $180.

Travel systems. Travel systems offer one-stop shopping: You get an infant car seat and a stroller all in one. Most car-seat manufacturers offer these combination strollers/infant car seats. And many stand-alone strollers are now designed to accommodate infant car seats. With these strollers, you create a carriage by snapping an infant car seat into a stroller. The car seats of travel systems also come with a base, which stays in the car. The snap-on car seat is generally positioned atop the stroller so the infant rides facing the person pushing. Your baby can also ride in the stroller seat alone when he or she is big enough.

Most travel-system strollers can be used only with a car seat from the same company. They can also be bulky, so if you're a city dweller who negotiates more subway stairs than highways or if the trunk of your car isn't too roomy, you may be better off with a separate car seat and a compact stroller that is appropriate for a newborn.

Price range: $40 (stroller frame only) to $400.

Convertible seats. With a convertible seat, the child faces rearward as an infant, then toward the front of the vehicle as a toddler. The seat can function as a rear-facing seat for infants up to 30 or 35 pounds, depending on the model, and as a front-facing seat for toddlers generally up to 40 pounds (a few have a 65-pound limit). Models typically have an adjustable five-point harness system--two straps over the shoulders, two for the thighs, and a crotch strap between the legs. Some models have a tray shield that lowers over the baby's head and fastens with a buckle between the legs. However, our tests show that children, especially small ones, are better restrained with a five-point harness.

A convertible car seat can be a money saver, taking your child from infancy to kindergarten and beyond. We advise starting with an infant seat first, though, as mentioned earlier. Keep in mind that convertible seats are not compatible with strollers, so you will have to transfer your baby from the convertible car seat to a carriage or stroller when you're ready to set out on foot. Such jostling can wake a sleeping baby, a problem if you need to take your child on frequent shopping expeditions or other errands.

Price range: $50 to $290.

Toddler/booster seats. Looking like large versions of convertible seats, these front-facing seats are used with an internal harness for toddlers 20 to 40 pounds. They're either LATCH-attached or can be secured using the vehicle belts and tethers. When kids reach 40 pounds, the seat becomes a belt-positioned booster seat, which children can use until they're 80 or 100 pounds. With a belt-positioned booster seat, the child is restrained using the vehicle's lap and shoulder belt system.

Booster seats. These are generally for children weighing 40 to 80 pounds. (A very tall child may begin using a booster seat at 30 pounds.) Booster seats use the vehicle's own safety belts to restrain the child.

Built-in seats. Some U.S. and foreign automakers offer on select cars and minivans an integrated, forward-facing child seat that has a harness and accommodates toddlers weighing more than 20 pounds. There are also some booster-seat versions. Built-in seats must meet the same performance standards as add-on child seats. However, they offer little or no side protection and they're usually located next to a door, instead of in the center--the safer position. You may also need a regular car seat for when your child travels in other vehicles.


HOW TO CHOOSE



Start with an infant seat for a newborn and pay close attention to the height and weight limits as your child grows. When your baby reaches the infant seat's limits for height and weight, or becomes too heavy for you to tote, use a convertible seat in the rear-facing orientation up to the seat's limits in that mode. Then use the convertible seat front-facing until your toddler reaches the next height and weight limits. After that, use a booster seat until your child is tall enough to use the car's safety belts, typically at least 57 inches. Buying three seats instead of two may cost more, but it can pay off in protection and peace of mind.

Make sure the seat is compatible with your car. One of the first things you should do in choosing a seat for your child is to check the fit of any models you're considering in your own car. Even before that, though, we suggest placing similar-looking models side by side in the store to compare features. (If you've already had your baby, place your child in the seat, to get a sense of the ease of buckling and unbuckling.) Then, if possible, bring the floor model to your car for a mock installation. Be aware that some vehicle seats are too short, indented, or excessively sloped to allow a good fit of a child car seat.

If you're considering a convertible car seat, try the floor model in both the rear- and front-facing positions. Check out the harness release button in the rear-facing position; in some models it may be too low to reach comfortably. If you're thinking about an infant car-seat/stroller combination, also known as a travel system, check to be sure that it fits in your trunk or vehicle cargo area. If the store won't let you take the seat out to your car to try it, make sure you can return any car seat you buy--or go to another store.

Insist on new. Although there are many baby items you can borrow or buy secondhand, don't make a car seat one of them if you can avoid it. A used seat may have been in a crash or recalled. The manufacturer's instructions may be missing. If, for some reason, you must use a secondhand seat, avoid those with an unknown history or that are older than six years. In the world of car seats, a six-year-old model is a relic--and risky. You'll also want to avoid recalled models.

Send in the registration card. You should be notified by the manufacturer if the car seat is recalled. To play it extra safe, you can also sign up for the Consumer Product Safety Commission's e-mail subscription list at www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.asp. Updated recall information will be sent directly to your e-mail in-box. Or check monthly reports in Consumer Reports or on this site. Other sources of information on car-seat recalls include NHTSA's Web site (www.nhtsa.gov) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission site (www.recalls.gov).

Check the store's return policy. If you're not happy with a particular car seat for whatever reason, it's important to know that you can return it and try again with another model. Be aware that a badly soiled or damaged seat may not be exchanged.

In ___ United States, more than 2,000 children under 14 years of age die each year in vehicle crashes. Not only are vehicle crashes ___ leading killers of children, in 1997 they also injured nearly 320,000 youngsters. Most of ___ fatalities happen because ___ children aren\'t secured in specially designed car seats. Instead, they are strapped in ___ wrong kinds of seats, such as adult seats that neither position ___ children\'s bodies properly nor cushion them against impact, or they aren\'t wearing any restraints at all. Children aged four to 14 are least likely to be restrained properly.

Most of ___ 50 states require that children under ___ age of four be secured in child safety seats or seat belts. Many states also mandate booster seats (or seat belts) for kids between four and 14 depending on their age, weight, and height. Up to 95% of ___ safety seats that are installed in vehicles may not be ___ right seat for ___ child, may be hooked so loosely with ___ incompatible belt in ___ car that ___ seat rotates or pitches forward, or may have harnesses incorrectly fastened in some way. Child seats are also often incorrectly placed rear-facing in front of air bags. In 1997, six out of 10 children who were killed in vehicle crashes were unbelted. Enormous energies and talents have produced child safety seats that, when used properly, have vastly improved ___ likelihood that ___ child can survive ___ serious vehicle crash without injury.

History

Car seats for children have been manufactured since 1933. ___ Bunny Bear Company made several designs of children\'s car seats, but their purpose was not to protect ___ child in ___ event of ___ accident. Instead, these seats confined ___ children, raised them above ___ level of ___ passenger seat, and made them more visible to adults from ___ front seat. ___ true safety seat for children was invented in England by Jean Ames in 1962. ___ Ames design had straps that held ___ padded seat against ___ rear passenger seat. Within ___ seat, ___ child was restrained by ___ Y-shaped harness that slipped over its head and both shoulders and fastened between ___ legs. Other designs to accommodate growing children followed quickly over ___ next several years.

From 1956-1970, lap-type seat belts were developed and became standard equipment for adults. Even though crash-test results proved that seat belts saved lives, in ___ 1960s seat belts were met with resistance. In 1966, Congress passed ___ Twin Highway Acts that empowered ___ Department of Transportation (DOT) to set standards for vehicle design; ___ separate states have ___ authority to enforce driver laws, which vary among ___ states. Shoulder harnesses, self-applying belts, and front- and side-impact air bags increased ___ level of protection for adults; these types of safety equipment became available from 1966-1995. During this period, child safety seats grew to include rear-facing seats for infants under 22 lb (10 kg), convertible seats that start as rear-facing infant seats and convert to face forward for toddlers weighing less than 40 lb (18.2 kgs), and booster seats that elevate ___ growing child weighing between 30-70 lb (13.6-31.8 kg) so ___ car\'s seat belt can be fastened around child and booster seat. Child safety seats are in ___ news almost daily, yet more than 30 years after their development, many of these news items focus on ___ inconvenience of ___ seats rather than ___ lives they save.
child safety seat


___ child safety seat, \"car seat\", or ___ \"child restraint system\", is ___ restraint which is secured to ___ seat of ___ automobile equipped with safety harnesses to hold ___ child in ___ event of ___ crash.

Introduction

One of ___ most important purchases that any parent can make their childs car seat. All countries should have laws regarding child passenger safety and in what manner ___ child must be restrained depending on their age and weight. It is important to note that these standards are often minimums and that for each graduation to ___ next kind of safety seat, there is ___ step down in ___ amount of protection ___ child has in ___ collision. There are many ways parents and caregivers can help to reduce ___ risk of injury and death to children who ride in vehicles. Car seats are one of ___ most important tools available to assist parents in this task.

Infant carriers
infant seat
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infant seat

For young infants, ___ seat used is ___ infant carrier with typical weight recommendations of 5-20 lb. All infant seats made in ___ US can now be used to 22 lbs and 29 inches and ___ graco safe seat 1 can be used to 30 lbs and 32 inches. In ___ past most infant seats in ___ US went to 20 lbs and 26 inches. Infant carriers are often also called \"Bucket Seats\" as they resemble ___ bucket with ___ handle. Some (but not all) seats can be used with ___ base secured, or with ___ carrier strapped in alone. Some seats do not have bases. Infant carriers are mounted rear-facing, and are designed to \"cocoon\" against ___ back of ___ vehicle seat in ___ event of ___ collision, with ___ impact being absorbed in ___ outer shell of ___ restraint. Rear-facing seats are deemed ___ safest and children must remain in this position until at they are least 1 year of age AND at least 20 lb.

Infant carriers should be placed at no more ___ 45 degree angle, allowing appropriate neck and head support for ___ child. ___ harness straps should be threaded through ___ slots that are at or below ___ shoulder (North America), coming up and over as they push down to restrain ___ child. [1]

As previously mentioned, most bucket seats accommodate children up to 20 or 22 lbs. (depending on ___ seat). However, many children outgrow this weight before reaching one year of age. Therefore, they must remain rear facing in another seat.

Placing rear-facing child safety seats in ___ front seat of cars with passenger side airbags can cause injury to ___ child if ___ airbag were to go off. [2]

Convertible seats
rear-facing convertible
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rear-facing convertible

Convertible seats can be used throughout many stages. Many convertible seats will transition from ___ rear facing seat, to ___ forward facing seat, and some then can be used as ___ booster seat. Many convertible seats allow for 5-35 lb. rear-facing, allowing you to keep your child in ___ safer rear-facing position up to 35 pounds.


Car Safety Seats: A Guide for Families
Never place a child in a rear-facing car safety seat in the front seat of .....
The car safety seat your child will be using (whether supplied by you or by ...
Safety information provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Never place a child in a rear-facing car safety seat in the front seat of a vehicle that has a passenger air bag.
www.aap.org/family/carseatguide.htm

Child Car Seats
Provides advice on purchasing, fitting and using child car restraints, along with
links to manufacturers, retailers and other relevant organisations.
Provides advice on purchasing, fitting and using child car restraints, along with links to manufacturers, retailers and other relevant organisations.
www.childcarseats.org.uk

Howstuffworks "How Child Car Seats Work"
Find out how child car seats save the lives of little ones. ... for children to travel by car is in a child seat that is suitable for their ...
The bottom line is that the safest way for children to travel by car is in a child seat that is suitable for their weight and size, and is fitted correctly.
"How Child Car Seats Work". July 04, 2003 http://auto.howstuffworks.com/child-car ...
auto.howstuffworks.com/child-car-seat.htm

2007 Child Safety Seat Ease of Use Ratings
Remember, the best child safety seat is the one that fits your child properly,
is easy to use ... Infant Car Seat. 22-627-BYT (12-22-2006) Picture available ...
www.nhtsa.dot.gov/CPS/CSSRating/Index.cfm

Child Car Seats : Carrying Children Safely
Provides advice from RoSPA on purchasing, fitting, and using child car restraints, along with links to manufacturers, retailers, and other relevant organisations.
www.childcarsafety.org.uk