Tuesday, 20 December 2011

Have A Safe Trip With Your Baby: The Importance Of A Car Seat

By Rolf Mitchell


Traveling with a baby in tow is one of the things commonly done these days. With parents both working 9pm to 5pm, children are usually tagged along and left in child care homes and facilities before continuing to the office. In some cases work areas are too far away from home which means that the baby needs to be brought along for quite a long ride. In both cases, parents need to ensure that a car seat is properly installed in the back seat such that the baby is well protected during the long drives. Various types of these seats are available in the market which parents can choose from.

A car seat is a device installed in vehicles and is designed to protect the youngest of passengers. This is essential is protecting children in case of accidents as this absorbs much of the forces involved in an accident and keeps these forces from being delivered directly to the child. Car seats can also prevent children from being ejected from the car through a broken window or the windshield, which can cause serious injury and death. These seats have also proven to reduce the number of child passengers killed or injured in motor vehicle crashes during the past years.

Safety is the most important benefit that parents and the child passenger can derive from the use of car seats. Based on statistics, child death associated with automobile accidents has been reduced by 71% in countries mandating the use of car seats. Also, as these seats restrain the child passenger, they are prevented from being tossed around in the car into instrument panels or other fixed objects in case of accidents, and hence, preventing cases of serious injuries. Aside from the safety these devices provide in case of accidents, they are also beneficial during long rides. By restraining the child in the car, parents can rest in the car assured that the baby can sleep in his/her seat comfortably without his/her head falling forward while sleeping.

Depending on the age of the child, a number of car seats are now available in the market for consumers to choose from. First among these are those designed for babies six to nine months of age. These seats, called rearward-facing baby seats, are placed rearward facing-as the name suggests-in the back seat of the car. Another type of car seats is the forward facing child seat which features an integral harness. These seats are often placed in the front or rear of the car and are designed for children 9 months to 4 years of age. Lastly are those designed for children aged 4 to 6 years called booster seats. These seats feature a seatbelt that goes around the child and the seat. They are used as transition seats for children who are already too big for baby seats but are yet too small for regular adult seats.

Choosing the right car seat for your children is important to ensure utmost safety. One of the things that need to be done before purchasing a car seat is to read your vehicle owner's manual carefully and see exactly where the car seat should go and how it should be installed. Having scanned the manual will ensure a better buying experience. Secondly, make sure that the car seat fits your child's age, weight and height. As discussed earlier, specific seats are designed for specific ages. Lastly, make sure to check the reviews and the product information carefully and consider taking the item to a professional. Certified child passenger safety technicians can assist parents and caregivers with installing and correctly using any child safety seat.

Child safety is a major consideration for most parents. In order to be able to provide these, one needs to have the right car seat installed that is best suited for the child's needs.




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