Buying a Child Car Safety Seat is One of the Most Important Purchases Parents Can Make to Keep Their Kids Safe. Here are Tips About How to Choose the Right Car Seat for Your Children.
Choosing a car seat for your baby is not always easy. There are so many brands and types out there that it is easy to get overwhelmed. In this article, our child injury lawyers will help guide you with the basics of choosing a child car seat, what features to look for, and whether it is permissible to use a hand-me-down car seat.
Types of Car Seats
There are three types of car seats for newborn babies. The first type of car seat is called an infant only seat. It is a rear facing car seat and very small. The infant only seat is used for babies up to 20 to 30 pounds.
The second type of car seat is the convertible seat. This type of car seat is larger than the infant only seat, so it is used for older babies or babies up to 30 or 40 pounds. This seat has the option to face forward if the baby is heavier. If you are going to buy a convertible seat, buy one that has a harness, and not a shield.
The final type of car seat is a car bed. These are less common because they are only used under a doctor recommendation. Sometimes, for medical or health reasons, a doctor will recommend that the baby lie flat while in a car.
After you have chosen the car seat for your child, make sure it will be compatible for your car. You will need to make sure it will install correctly in the back seat using the seat belt or the latch straps. If the car seat doesn’t fit the way it should, don’t use it. A car seat that does not fit correctly will defeat the purpose of buying a car seat in the first place.
Look for These Features
When you are in the market for a car seat, look for one that has a low shoulder harness position. The car seat should have its lowest slots less than 8 inches from the bottom of the seat pad. Please read our child injury resources article for more information and guidance.
Another good feature to have is a car seat with a harness adjuster that is easy to access and use. Try to find one that has a pull strap in the front. They are usually the easiest ones to use.
What about Used Car Seats?
Many people wonder whether it is permissible to use a car seat that was used previously by another family. It is always great to save money, especially since children grow out of car seats so they are ripe to give away as a hand-me down. Sometimes, you can use these second hand car seats, but be sure it is in good condition.
In general, newer seats are easier to use and probably have better safety features, so it depends on how old the car seat is. A general rule of thumb is that car seats over 6 years old should not be used. Car seat manufacturers know that their seats will be used by multiple children, so they often put expiration dates on their seats. Be sure to check if there is an expiration date. If there isn’t one, just use the “six year” rule.
It should go without saying that car seats that have been involved in a car accident should not be used again. A damaged car seat has lost its powers to protect your child. Finally, if your car seat is missing a part, you can order them along with installation instructions from the manufacturer’s website.
We hope these tips will help you find a car seat that will be perfect for your child. Please take the time to search wisely when you pick out the seat for your newborn. Using a bad car seat is just as bad as not having one at all. The auto accident attorneys at the Jurewitz Law Group specialize in car accident cases. If your child has been injured in a car accident, please call our personal injury lawyers at 888-233-5020 for a free consultation.
Have you been injured in an accident in San Diego or anywhere in California and don't know what to do next? We are here to help and provide you with the important and relevant information you need to make an informed decision about:
- How to handle your personal injury claim
- Who is the right injury accident attorney to help you with your case, and
- Whether you even need to hire a lawyer to help you with your insurance claim
Call the Jurewitz Law Group at 888-233-5020 to order one of our free California personal injury books to get the information you need or to set up a free consultation with one of our experienced San Diego personal injury attorneys.
