There are a lot of factors to consider when trying to find a safety seat for your child. Knowing best practices when it comes to car seats is a multifaceted endeavor. In addition to knowing how to secure the seat into your vehicle and best practices for securing your child into the seat, you must also be sure that the seat you have is the correct one for your child’s age, weight, and height. Different seats are designed to accommodate your child’s specific needs at different stages of development.
For children under the age of 1 year old, an infant rear-facing seat is the best option as its harness strap system and cradle design is meant to protect a child’s neck and spine in the event of a crash. A child between the ages of 1-3 years old should be placed in a child rear-facing seat and kept rear-facing as long as the child’s height and weight are compliant with the restrictions listed on the car seat as this is the safest position to ride in. Children between the ages of 4-7 should usually be placed in a front-facing car seat, which features a tether strap system. It is much safer than the standard seat belt for young children. Children ages 8-12 will typically need a booster seat that is designed to provide extra height to ensure the car’s seat belt fits the child correctly. Keep in mind that all children do grow at their own rate and that these suggestions may differ based on your child’s specific height and weight. For a quick way to calculate what seat would work best for your child, use this quick tool.
Remember, even if you have followed all instructions perfectly, it may still be prudent to have an expert look over your work at a child safety seat inspection location to ensure your child will be safe when buckled in. These locations can be found throughout the United States.
