Guide to Buying a Child Car Seat

There are many factors you need to take into account when buying a child car seat. The main cause of death for children in the U.S. is car accidents and the fact that the child was not secured properly or the car seat was not installed properly. You can easily prevent these tragedies by using the proper car seat and installing it correctly.

The type of seat you should buy is completely dependent on your child's size and the type of car you have. There are specific types of seats depending on the height and weight of your child. Infants that weigh less than 35 lbs need to use an infant only seat. The car seat should be a rear facing seat or a convertible seat that is in the rear facing position.

Children between 20 and 40 lbs can use a forward facing child car seat. Other acceptable safety measures include a high backed booster seat or a harness that is installed in the cars back seat. If children are 4 to 8 years in age then they can use a booster seat that does not have a back and use the normal seat belt position. When your children reach the age of 8, or is 4 feet 9 inches in height, they do not need any type of seat.

Consider the Types of Child Car Seats
According to child car seat reviews in 2009, different car seats have different advantages. There are many child car seat types, all to suit children of different age groups.

• Rear-facing.Rear-facing car seats are built specifically for infants who don't have a good skeletal structure yet to support their fragile little bodies
• Forward-facing.Forward-facing child car seats are built for bigger kids such as toddlers and even preschool children
• Convertible.Convertible car seats are designed so that you won't have to keep replacing car seats as your child grows up. It can start as a rear-facing child car seat, and then transforms into a forward-facing one when your child grows up
• Booster seats. Booster seats are basically raised seats for bigger children, and are used to accommodate adult seat belts

Look for Specific Safety Features
The use of a baby or child car seat is very important. Be sure that the child car seat is installed properly and secured in the car. If you are in any doubt then look for a child car seat that has been federally approved and, once the car seat is in your car, have it inspected. Car seats are made to keep your child safe, but only if they are used properly.

• Tether straps.While they are only required for front facing child seats in the United States, you can also find tethers for reverse facing child car seats. The tether is used to stop the seat from tipping forward or back which greatly reduces the chance of whiplash and other neck or head injuries. It has been found to be very effective for side impacts. All child car seats that have a tether will provide you with information on how to properly use the tether. Normally you need to anchor it to a specific spot and there is usually a spot in the car on the floor, back parcel tray or roof to clip the tether. You will clip the tether onto the anchor spot and then pull it tight. If you find that your car does not have an anchor point then you can have one installed for a small fee. Most cars already have one
• Harness and seat features. The best types of harnesses are those that have five securing points. Also, the harness should be adjustable so you can continue to use the seat as your child grows. If the harness is too tight or too loose then this can be uncomfortable and unsafe. If you want to use the car seat until your child is 8, use one that has a high seat back. Otherwise your child may quickly outgrow the seat. Locking clips are not required on the child car seat, but they do make getting the safety seat belt tight much easier to achieve. One such favorite car seat that has many of these features is the Graco junior baby child car seat

Plan Your Purchase
Make sure you start looking for a car seat at least a week before you need one. This way you have plenty of time to install it and have an inspection. You always need to try the car seat before you buy it as some do not fit into all types of cars. If you have more than one car then you need to try the car seat in both vehicles.

It is not recommended that you purchase a second-hand child seat unless it is a hand me down that you bought for your first child. If you are using it again after a few years make sure to have it inspected to ensure it still meets all regulations. Fabric can deteriorate and plastic can become brittle with age so your child car seat may no longer be safe.

Comply with State Legal Requirements
Each state has its own law for the type of child seat you must use. It differs depending on the state, though many are changing their laws so that a type of child seat is required for all children up to 8 years of age. If you are pulled over and are not following the correct law then you can be fined, have points put onto your license or have to attend a child safety course.

Document Product Information
You will need to have the model number of the seat you are interested in as well as the date of manufacture in case of any recalls. It is quite easy to check for recalls and this can be done completely online. All seats should come with an instruction manual and put it in a safe place so you do not lose it. You want a seat that is easy to install and many people prefer the LATCH system instead of struggling over where to thread the seat belts.

Have It Inspected
Once you have bought your car seat and it is installed, it is a good idea to have it inspected. This way you will know your child is safe at all times. An inspector will be able to ensure the car seat is being used properly and you will not have any problems should you be pulled over.

Buying the Right Child Car Seat

When choosing the right child car seat for you and your child, feel free to browse around child car seat reviews in 2010. Child car safety standards are ever changing, and this year you will a number of new models that can be more suited to your child. You can check these reviews if the child car safety seats comply with state laws in your area. It also helps to see if these safety seats comply with the safety guidelines of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of NHTSA.

At the same time, when you look at the up to date child car seat reviews, you will also find out which child car seats have been recalled due to manufacturing errors. It can be dangerous and sometimes even fatal to unknowingly buy one of these defected models, so it's better to update your knowledge about current safety seats through such child car seat reviews.

Only when you find the best child car seat review for you can you finally make an informed decision about buying a child car seat, and you can rest easy knowing that you bought one that is high in quality and safe for the use of your child or children.

Related Questions and Answers

What is the Best Child Car Seat Rating?

There is no universally accepted child car seats ratings. All car seats on the market meet all current government safety requirements. They have all been crash tested and passed. The best car seat is the one that fits your vehicle and child the best. Consumer Reports is a rating organization that is widely accepted as one of the best. Check their ratings as a starting point and than check out the car seats in person. Strap your child in and make sure they are comfortable and that you find all of the buckles convenient and easy. There are some features that are considered must-haves on car seats. A few of the more desirable features would be 5-point harness, two piece chest clip, latch system and front harness adjustments.

Which States Have Front Facing Car Seat Laws?

Front facing car seat laws vary from state to state and change more often than you think they would. This article is too short to address the laws of each state. It is best to contact your local law enforcement agency to make sure you are complying with the latest car seat laws. On a federal level, infants need to be in a rear facing car seat until at least one year old, or they weigh 20 pounds. When they have reached these milestones they can be put into a front facing car seat. Federal law requires that a child be in a forward facing seat until they are four years old or weigh 40 pounds; they can then be moved into a booster seat.