HAVING a proper child car seat in your vehicle can protect your child from an accident while traveling in an automobile.
The child car seat offers protection and safety to your child and gives you the freedom to drive without worrying about your child to much.
Website ehow.com highlights some important points for parents to follow in getting a child car seat for their automobile.
Harness
Your car seat should offer a safety harness to keep the child in the car seat in case of an accident.
The safest type is the five-point harness, which has thick straps extending over the hips, shoulders and between the legs. The harness should be adjustable to keep it snug and avoid injury.
Rear facing
Rear-facing car seats are safer as the seat then cradles the child during frontal impact, rather than the straps taking the force and causing whiplash. This is especially important for infants and very young children.
Install the car seat in the back, not the front of the vehicle to prevent injuries caused by air bags.
Weight
Car seats have weight limits and age limits. Choose a car seat suitable for the weight and age of your child; once he grows, you may need to buy a new car seat. Infants use baby seats and progress onto child seats then boosters.
Second-hand car seats
Although second-hand car seats may seem a good money-saving idea, they may not meet current safety regulations, or they may have been in an accident.
If you can afford to buy a new car seat, you will be sure it has been vigorously tested to meet all current safety requirements.
