Car owners usually care about the regular maintenance of their cars and keep them in the perfect condition to ensure their safety on the road. However, this is not enough to maintain the safety of the driver and passengers, they must follow safety requirements on the road, including putting the seat belt while driving and adhere the speed limits on the roads and the most important things they must follow is using car seats for children to maintain their safety.
Types of car seats according to the age of the child
Rear-Facing Car Seat
This type of seats has the face and body of the child facing the rear of the car, sitting opposite the normal sitting position in the car. It is one of the best seats for children under 5 years old. It has a belt and a comfortable and suitable cradle which reduces stress on the baby's neck and spinal cord. It has 3 different types depending on the age of the child as well.
Forward-Facing Car Seat
In this type, the face and body of the child is naturally forward. It contains a belt that limits the child's movement forward when a crash occurs. Suitable for children aged 4 to 7 years. It also has 3 types depending on the child's age.
Booster Seat
Use a belt on the seat so that it fits properly the stronger parts of your baby's body. There are 4 different types of Booster Seats depending on the age of your child and the amount of protection provided by the seat. This type is suitable for children ages 4 to 12 years.
Things to consider when buying a car seat
1| Baby’s age and weight
As we mentioned before, your baby’s age and weight is important when it comes to buying a car seat. Car seats are divided into groups: 1, 2, 3, and 4. Each and every age group offers special features that suit the age group best. For group 1, which is from birth till the age of 2, baby carries are the best option. For group 2, you need a forward facing car seat. As for groups 3 and 4, you will need a high back booster seat or a booster cushion to keep your child safe during car rides. This is one of the most important things to consider when buying a car seat.
2| Vehicle type
Many mums do not know that their vehicle does not suit the car seat they chose. For example, ISoFix car seats have 5 installation points that not all cars support. So, check your car before buying a car seat to make sure you get one that you can easily install in it.
3| Budget
Setting a budget helps you look for a car seat that is right for you. In fact, we always recommend setting a budget before buying anything for yourself or your baby.
4| Quality
Here, we focus on durability. You need a car seat that has high qualities for it to be a good investment. This way, you can buy one car seat and use it for the long run. This includes the materials, cover fabrics, and the support it offers your baby’s body. Ask about the testing process too to make sure it is durable and safe.
5| Installation system
Check the installation system your car seat has to make things easier for you. Installing it might be a little challenging, so you need to be familiar with both the car seat instruction manual and their vehicle manual.
Mistakes to avoid when you buy a car seat
1| Choosing the wrong size
Many mums make the mistake of buying a car seat that is too big for their children. Even if the car seat is installed perfectly, having the wrong size puts your baby in danger. If you purchased a car seat for different groups, make sure you can adjust it using seat belts to secure your child.
2| Not compatible with your family car
Again, not all cars support the same car seats. Some mums buy a car seat while their cars do not have the necessary installation points to keep the car seat firm and secure.
3| Getting a hand-me-down car seat
This is one of the most common and dangerous mistakes you can make when getting a car seat. While it might seem best for saving money, it might not be the safest. Some car seats are in bad shape, and they will not be steady when you install them. Also, some car seats have expiration dates, and you do not want to be stuck with that.
4| Installing the car seat incorrectly.
It is very important to install the car seat according to its manual. You need to place it in the right place, and make sure it is steady and not moving. To test that, you can shake it firmly once you install it. If it is installed correctly, it should not move more than 2 centimeters in each direction.
5| Getting the wrong reclining angel.
This might seriously put your child in danger. Wrong reclining angels can put your baby at risk in case of an accident.
