What to look for in a car seat?

Here are some key features that you should look for when you go car seat shopping: An easy-to-install car seat can save you a lot of sweat and tears in the long run. A popular option is the latch system, which is a newer car seat base system that installs the car seat in your vehicle without using the car’s seat belts.

What makes a car seat safe to use?

A car seat could have either a 3-point harness or a 5-point harness system. Usually we recommend a five-point harness because it is the safest type of restraint protection. A five-point harness attaches to the seat in five different places: two located above the baby’s shoulders, one at each hip, and one between the legs of the baby.

Which is the worst mistake to make when buying a car seat?

To make sure the car seat you choose is safe, here are two of the most major mistakes to avoid: Buying or inheriting a second-hand car seat. While it may be cheaper or even perhaps free, employing a used car seat means you run the risk of putting your baby in an expired car seat.

What happens if you put your child in a front facing car seat?

If the car seat is placed in the front seat and the air bag inflates, it could hit the back of a rear-facing car seat — right where your child’s head is — and cause a serious or fatal injury. A child who rides in a forward-facing car seat could also be harmed by an air bag.

How to know if child car seat meets US standards?

All car seats sold in the U.S. must meet federal safety standards. These rules dictate how critical safety information is conveyed to buyers through labels and instruction manuals, and how each seat performs in crash tests.

What should you know before installing a car seat?

Before you install a car seat, read the manufacturer’s instructions and the section on car seats in the vehicle’s manual. Make sure the seat is tightly secured — allowing no more than 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) of movement from side to side or front to back when grasped at the bottom near the attachment points — and facing the correct direction.

What are the most common mistakes parents make when installing car seats?

Car seat safety isn’t child’s play. Understand 9 common mistakes parents make when installing and using car seats. Knowing how to safely buckle up your child as he or she grows can be difficult. Check out nine common mistakes parents often make when it comes to car seat safety — and how to avoid them. 1.