Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Choosing a Front Facing Car Seat For Your Child

There are so many different types of car seats out there, that it can be quite difficult choosing the right one for your child. And, choosing the correct seat for your child is essential to the protection and safety of your child. According to a study done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 70% of all child restraint systems are used incorrectly. In fact, some parents don't use child restraints for their children at all.

One of the most crucial times for children's restraints is when they need to transition from rear-facing seats to front facing seats. Many parents do not know when the appropriate time to start using a front facing seat or which kind is best for their child. The front facing seat you choose depends heavily on the type of car you drive, the age, and the weight of your child.

Car seats for infants are generally rated for safety for children that are less than 40 pounds. The recommended age requirement for the use of a front facing car seat is 12 months. And, the recommended weight range for front facing seats is between 40 and 80 pounds. Each model and brand of car seats will vary, so the requirements will also differ.

One of the most common types of front facing seats is convertible seats. The child restraints can be converted between front and rear facing seats at any time. This allows an easier transition for when your child is old and big enough to use a front facing seat.

Another type of infant seat that is commonly used is a combination seat. Like the convertible car seat, the combination seat can be changed to fit your child's needs. With this seat, you can change the parts for the seat to accompany your growing child, which gives it longevity. Most combination seats can be changed between front facing seats and booster seats. Most booster seats are tested for safety for children who are less than 100 pounds.

Along with the different types of car seats, there are also different kinds of harnesses for the seats. The two choices for harnesses for your child are the "five-point harness" and the overhead shield. The "five-point harness" consists of straps that connect between the legs, over the hips, and over the shoulders of your child. The overhead shield is usually a padded arm that fits over a child's head and locks into place on their shoulders.

Both of these types of harnesses have been tested and considered very safe for your child to use as restraints. So, the choice between the two is based on your personal preferences.

Choosing a front facing seat isn't the only thing that you need to be worried about when you get your child a car seat. You also need to make sure that you are assembling the child restraint correctly and you are using it properly. There are many injuries/deaths caused by the improper use of a front facing car seat. To be sure that your child is safe, be very careful and read the manual that comes with the restraint to make sure you fully understand how it works.

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