Personal Injury Law

Kirk Bernard Explains How to Choose a Safe Car Seat for your Child

By Kirk Bernard, Esq.

You could be left agonizing for days about the right car seat for your little one. After all, it is the car seat, which you count on to protect one of your most precious family members. So, how do you select a secure car seat that will not break the bank and keep your child safe and comfortable? Here are the top five questions you can ask yourself to help pick that perfect car seat:

1. Is it easy to install? - If it looks too complicated, it's not the car seat for you. You need a car seat that is easy to install CORRECTLY. If you do not install the seat properly, your baby may not be secure. You also need to look for a base that you can permanently install in the car. After that, all you'll need to do is settle the seat securely into the base and buckle up your child. Life is busy enough with a little one around. Keep it simple.


2. Are there adequate restraints? - Remember that you need to look for an infant seat with a five-point safety harness. The straps ? one for each shoulder, one for each thigh and one between your baby's legs ? are more adjustable and therefore safer for an infant. Car seats with plastic shields or T-bar restraints should be avoided.


3. Are the belts easily adjustable? - Do not buy seats that require you to adjust the buckle from the back of the seats. Buy one that will allow you to easily adjust the belt from the front.


4. Does it have a LATCH system? - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requires that all child safety seats be compatible with a LATCH system, which is short for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. This system enables you to attach the seat directly to the vehicle instead of using the seatbelt to secure it.


5. How easily can it be kept clean? : Although this is not a safety issue, you want to make sure that car seats come with pad covers you can remove and wash easily. Let's face it, babies are messy. And finally, you want to buy a well-padded seat with good head support so baby has a comfortable ride. That way, so will you!

Full post as published by Seattle Injury Blog on February 05, 2010 (boomark / email).