Car Seat Strollers

Posts Tagged ‘child’

Never use a hand-me-down or used car seat. Safety standards change and technology continually improves. Though it might be tempting to save a little money, your child’s safety isn’t worth the risk. Accept those clothing hand-me-downs, and purchase new car seat.

Find the right seat for your child’s age and weight. There are several kinds of car seats on the market. Infant car seats or “carriers” often come with a detachable base. The base is fastened securely into the car with the seatbelt, and the carrier portion lifts out so you can take baby into the house or store. You can also purchase infant seats that clip right onto your stroller. Baby seats, for children over 20 lbs and one-year-old are larger and stay fastened into the car all the time. Booster seats can be used by children who are 4′9″ and taller.

If you travel often, make sure the car seat is FAA approved for air travel. Your child is much safer in his car seat when traveling on the airplane – if you experience turbulence, he’ll be safely buckled in.

Install the seat correctly. Infants up to 20 lbs, or under one year of age should always ride facing the rear. Make sure to follow the directions carefully for installation – many parents think they have their car seat installed properly, but haven’t followed all directions. Check out the American Academy of Pediatrics website for proper installation instructions, along with other tips: http://www.aap.org/family/carseatguide.htm

Check to see if your car seat has been recalled. You can call the Auto Safety Hotline at 888/DASH-2-DOT (888/327-4236) or visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/childseat.cfm.

Consider purchasing more than one car seat for your child. Properly installing a child seat can take time. If you have more than one car, or the child will be traveling often with grandparents or caregivers, purchase seats for each car. This will save you lots of time and ensure that each seat is installed correctly.

Replace car seats that have been involved in an auto accident. A moderate collision can compromise the safety of your child seat. The NHTSA considers a crash minor if all the following are true:

a. The vehicle could be driven away from the crash.

b. The vehicle door closest to the car safety seat was not damaged.

c. No one in the vehicle was injured.

d. The air bags did not go off.

e. You can’t see any damage to the car safety seat.

Always install child seats in the back seat, especially if your car is equipped with air bags. An air bag is deadly to a small child, even if they are in a safety seat. Some vehicles, such as trucks that only have one row of seats, are equipped with an on/off switch for passenger air bags. In this case, turn off the airbag.

Single strollers are the most common models out there and they are designed for only one child. You will find a vast selection of them which means you can get your hands on exactly the type you need. It may surprise you to find just how many different versions of single strollers there are. Taking the time to explore them will help you to purchase the one that is right for you.

Stroller with Carrier

Most parents will agree that a versatile stroller is a good investment. This type allows you to put your baby in there from the time they are an infant until they are a several years old. They are adjustable so you can have a child in there laying down or sitting upright. A great model is one that has a carrier with it. This attaches safely to the top of the stroller. Carrying around a heavy car seat carrier with a baby can be difficult but this allows you to have them safely in front of you.

As the child gets older you can use the bottom part of the stroller for them to ride in. A stroller with a carrier is very convenient as you can take your baby out of a vehicle and attach them to the stroller. You don?t have to take them out of their carrier which can make them cranky. They will also be securely harness this way so you can be confident they are safe.

All Terrain Stroller

If your lifestyle includes being out in areas where the terrain isn?t even, you won?t be satisfied with a basic single stroller. Instead you need to buy one that is designed for all terrain. They are styled differently with two wide wheels on the back and one in the center of the front. These are also referred to as jogging strollers. While they are more expensive, being able to go where you want with your child easily is well worth such an investment.

Umbrella Stroller

An umbrella stroller is one that goes by many different names. It gets this particular name due to the fact that you can easily open and close it like an umbrella. They are extremely lightweight too. You can set it up in a matter of seconds and do the same to fold it up. This is perfect for traveling and to keep in your car for basic outings.

With an umbrella stroller though you don?t get very much room. They are upright strollers so you child will have a hard time sleeping in one. They aren?t good for small children either that can?t sit up on their own. You also have to make sure you have the latch securely in place when your child is in it. Otherwise you risk it collapsing with them inside.

Before you buy any type of single stroller, test them out. Most retailers offer them on display. Take the time to examine how they look, how they are moved, and even how heavy they are. You also want to read safety information about them online. Once you have narrowed down your selection you can compare prices and features to get the one that is best for your family.

Toddler Travel can be fun and exciting for both the child and parents, but the most important consideration is the proper use of car seats. Take the time to make sure that the car seat you are using for your child fits him or her properly. This is both a safety and comfort issue. There are places where you can your car seat inspected to make sure that it is the proper one for your child and that it is installed properly. Do a search for ?car seat inspections? on Google, and you will find local organizations that provide the service. Also, manufacturers are required by law to list weight and age limits on each individual seat.

There have been instances when young children have been killed by air bags when sitting in the front seat because of the force with which the devices are deployed. Always put your small children in the back seat! This not only prevents an air bag tragedy, but they are also less likely to be thrown from the vehicle in an accident. Infants and children under 12 months should also ride facing backwards in the rear seat. Each individual state has laws governing age and weight requirements concerning all of these issues so be sure to check what the laws are in your state.

A very important point to consider for older children is how the shoulder and lap belt cross your child’s body. When children graduate from car seats to booster seats it is crucial that the seat belt is adjusted or the child positioned in such a way that the belt crosses the child’s shoulder and lap! Too many times parents don’t take the time pay attention this important detail and the belt ends up crossing the child’s neck and/or stomach. An improperly fitting seatbelt can cause serious internal injury or even death to small children. Please take the time to learn how to do this properly. Your children are depending on you.

This is the most important thing to consider when traveling with young children. Toddler Travel can be fun and exciting, but, please make sure that it is also safe.

The right car seat is more than essential. It is absolutely necessary. Finding the right car seat doesn’t have to be a chore, however, it will take some research and shopping around. This is the type of product that you need to investigate thoroughly. Don’t make the mistake of buying the first one that you see and most certainly do not choose the cheapest one available simply to save money. When it comes to the safety of your child, there is simply no room to compromise. A car seat should be nothing but the best in safety.

The first thing you need to look at is the way that it fits your child’s size and weight. Bring your child with you to the store if possible so that you can actually put them in various seats. A seat that is too big or too small is not the right seat. It could actually be quite dangerous. Babies can grow quite quickly too so keep that in mind. A seat that may have fit nicely a month or two ago probably will not fit the same now. Read the weight restrictions on the car seat label to be sure that it is right for your baby.

Pay attention to your child as they grow and change. Many car seats have different weight restrictions and variations indicated. This means that when your child reaches the specified weight, you must upgrade them to a new, bigger car seat. Plan this ahead of time so that you are prepared when that time comes. Waiting too long to change car seats could put your child at an unnecessary risk of danger.

Always read through the labels on car seats in order to gather safety information and be sure that the car seat you’re interested in is certified safe according to legal restrictions in your area. All manufacturer information should be included on the label as well. If you find the label to be lacking in anything important then perhaps you will want to look for a different car seat.

The installation of the car seat is incredibly important. A car seat that is very difficult to install will be more of an enemy than a friend. You want something that is convenient and can be installed easily. A car seat that comes out and goes back in easily is best, especially if you want something that you can take out and have babysitters and family members put into their vehicles.

A car seat that fits your vehicle properly is important. If the seat jostles around or doesn’t sit right, it may not be the best seat for the car you are driving. Read all of the details associated with the seat before making a decision to purchase. Adjustable seats are really nice for being able to put in the car or take out and put in the stroller. A seat that is easy to carry is really nice to when your newborn is sound asleep. Choosing the best car seat is based on several details. Pay attention to labels and never buy anything that you are not comfortable with.

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Child car seats are widely recognized for their value in helping to keep children safe and comfortable while traveling, and are one of the most important purchases that can be made for your child’s safety. However, a study by the U.S. Government’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration** found that, of nearly 3500 car seats observed, more than SEVEN in every TEN child restraint systems were misused in a way that “could be expected to increase a child’s risk of injury during a crash”. It is not only important that you obtain the right car seat in the first place, but also that the car seat be used properly at all times.

**Per the U.S. Government’s Department of Health and Human Service’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ‘Child Passenger Safety Fact Sheet’ (see the ‘Risk Factors’ section).

Types of Child Car Seats:

There are three basic types of child car seats, with each type being suitable for a child within a certain age and weight range.

‘Infant’ car seats are designed for newborns up to about six months of age. These are rear facing car seats with a harness to keep the child securely in place, with the child riding in a lying down position. There are also ‘convertible’ infant/toddler child car seats available. These car seats can be used for children from infancy into their toddler years, until they are ready for a booster seat.

At about six months of age most children are ready to start using a ‘toddler’ car seat, until they transition into a ‘booster’ car seat. Many toddler car seats allow the child to ride in either an upright or a reclined position, and some models raise the child up sufficiently to be able to easily see out of the vehicle’s windows while in the upright position.

‘Booster’ car seats are designed for children from approximately 2 years of age up to 6 years, and are forward facing car seats that are designed for the child to sit upright. There are also ‘convertible’ toddler/booster child car seats available. These car seats can be used for children from the time they are ready to start using a toddler seat until they are ready to start using just the car’s seat belts.

Purchasing a Child Car Seat:

Although it may not be necessary to buy an expensive car seat to keep your child safe, price alone should not be the determining factor in choosing which car seat to purchase. A ‘cheap’ child car seat, or a ‘bargain’ that you find at a garage sale, may not give your child the maximum level of protection that he or she deserves.

Using a secondhand child car seat may not be a good idea, as you may not be able to tell how old the car seat is, and, thus, whether or not it was designed to comply with current automobile designs and child car seat standards (federal motor vehicle safety standards change regularly, and older car seats may not be in compliance with them). In addition, the car seat may have suffered internal damage in an accident, or may not have all of its original parts. You may be able to use a relatively new secondhand car seat from a family member or friend, if they can tell you the car seat’s history, and know that the car seat has all its original parts. Also, make sure that the instructions for the car seat are either included with the car seat, or that you obtain them from the manufacturer or a distributor (instructions are usually available at no cost, either through the mail, or by downloading them over the Internet).

Before buying any child car seat, you should do your ‘homework’ to make sure that you select one that is suitable both for your child, and for the vehicle(s) in which it will be used. You can purchase quality child car seats over the Internet, and searching the Internet is a good way to find manufacturers’ descriptions and recommendations, product reviews, safety ratings, and recall information, for various child car seat models, so that you can choose the best models to consider purchasing. Child car seat manufacturers are bound by very strict guidelines, and you may be surprised to find that some of the more expensive car seats don’t provide any better level of protection than those which are more moderately priced.

A good place to start your research is to read Consumer Reports

Finding the best possible car seat for your new baby is an absolute must. Whether you are a new parent or an old pro, car seats are always changing. This means that you will have your share of research to do. It is not as simple as grabbing the cheapest one from the Wal-Mart shelf. When your child’s safety is the focal point, there is no room for compromise. Whether it is a matter of price or preference, some essential points must be considered.

The size of the car seat is important. A newborn baby cannot sit up so a car seat that allows them to lie down is best. Some car seats are convertible, meaning that they sit up as well as lie down. Some of them even become part of a stroller when taken out of the vehicle. Your child should fit snugly in their car seat, not loose in any way.

Car seats come with specified weight and size restrictions on the label. Always read this label before making your final selection. You want it to last a decent amount of time but it must also be legal and realistic. Keep an eye on your child’s weight as they grow so as not to exceed the car seat’s limit.

A car seat that is easy to install is best. It makes it easy and convenient to take it out of the car and put it back in without risking a mistake. Since many babies fall asleep in the car, taking the whole seat out is preferable by most parents. It also makes it much easier when it comes to babysitters taking the safety seat in their vehicle.

Try doing a consumer search online in order to get consumer reviews from other parents who have personal experience with certain car seats. This is also a great way to learn about any possible recalls. Though it does not happen often, it has happened and it is essential to stay informed.

Asking people that you know and trust for car seat advice definitely does not hurt. Some hospitals will give brand name recommendations as well. Make sure all car seats you consider meet the legal safety requirements for your state or country. Most car seats sold in stores are all legal but this can expire over time. It is best to avoid buying a car seat used.

Always note the year on the car seat label. If it is more than a year or two old, you may want to look around for one that is newer. Things that are related to safety tend to expire and constantly be upgraded to newer, better models. Stay on top of current information regarding car seats, especially if it has been a while since you have needed to buy one or if this is your first time.

Try more than one car seat if you must. Test them out by placing your child in the seat in the store, before you purchase. Make sure the important aspects all fit as they should. Your child’s safety is vital.

Too often I see children standing up in cars, looking out the back window or just sitting on laps. Don’t parents know that in an accident the body of an unrestrained child becomes a projectile, bouncing around the interior of the car? A child can be thrown from the car or through a window or windshield and fatally injured, and occupants of the vehicle can be hurt by a child impacting their heads or necks. Apparently, some people still have not gotten the message.

Are car seats too expensive? Or are people just plain lazy?

There are different types of car seat, usually varying depending on the size, age or weight of the child. Remember to buy a new car seat – old car seats may not have the latest safety features or may have been compromised in an accident.

Infant car seats – only face the rear; usually used in the back seat; may be used as an infant carrier and may be attachable to a stroller.

Convertible car seats – Used in the rear; when your child gets older may change into a forward-facing car seat or even a booster seat.

Booster seats – the last step before your child can wear a regular seat belt; used with the car’s seatbelt.

It is important that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions about how to attach the car seat. Also, you always want to send in the car seat’s registration form, so you are notified if the manufacturer recalls the seat for any defect. If your child is wearing a heavy coat, make certain that the harness straps are tight. Make sure to tighten the straps when your child wears lesser outerwear (when the weather warms up). Some safety agencies recommend removing your child’s outerwear in the car, so that the child can be fastened securely into the car seat.

Do not re-use a car seat after a serious accident – one that causes severe damage to the car. Get a new one.

Common car seat mistakes:

Placing child in wrong size car seat for his weight/size;

Placing a rear-facing car seat in the front seat of the car;

Not making sure the harness is tightened correctly;

Positioning the harness chest clip incorrectly;

Not using the latch correctly.

Not just a safety issue, it’s the law. Below I summarize New York Vehicle and Traffic Law, Section 1229-c. For specific questions, consult the statute. No person shall operate a motor vehicle in this state unless:

(1) all back seat passengers under the age of four are restrained in a specially designed seat which is either permanently affixed or is affixed to such vehicle by a safety belt,

(2) all back seat passengers of such vehicle who are age four or older but under age seven are restrained in an appropriate child restraint system (+ combination lap and shoulder harness belts)

(3) all front seat passengers (a) under the age of sixteen are restrained by a safety belt; or (b) if they are under the age of four, by a specially designed seat which is either permanently affixed or affixed to such vehicle by a safety belt, or children who are age four or older but under age seven are restrained in an appropriate child restraint system (+ combination lap and shoulder harness belts)

The rule changes somewhat if: the passenger four or younger weighs more than 40 pounds, or if the car is not equipped with shoulder harness belts, or if all the lap and shoulder belts are already in use by other children in the car

No person shall operate a motor vehicle unless such person is restrained by an approved safety belt. No person sixteen years of age or over shall be a passenger in the front seat of a motor vehicle unless such person is restrained by an approved safety belt.

This section shall not apply to taxis, liveries, and buses other than school buses EXCEPT no person shall operate a school bus unless all passengers under the age of four are restrained in a specially designed detachable or removable seat, or another approved restraining device.

One of the most useful accessories that you can use for your child’s car seat is a removable car seat cover. With such a cover, cleaning up after even the messiest child becomes simply a matter of removing, washing, and replacing the cover (and perhaps washing harnesses or straps by hand), instead of having to spend time trying to remove dirt and food from all of the surfaces and crevices of the car seat, itself.

Many child car seat manufacturers make removable car seat covers available for purchase. These covers are easy to remove and replace, and can be machine washed and dried as part of your normal household laundry. This will help to keep the cover sanitary and free of dirt and food stains. Not only will a cover be a convenience for you, but it will also help to extend the life of the car seat by keeping cleaning chemicals away from the surfaces of the car seat, itself.

If your child car seat manufacturer does not sell a cover for it, it may be possible to buy a separate cover that will fit well. Some retailers sell covers that will fit a variety of different car seat sizes. They are quite affordable, easy to install, and are very comfortable for your child to sit on. These covers are simple to remove for easy clean up, and are waterproof, which will help to contain spills, and the wetness from diapers. The covers come in a variety of sizes, colors, and designs, so that you should be able to find one that both fits and matches your child?s car seat.

As an alternative to a commercial car seat cover, you can improvise one by using a small blanket or towel to line the seat (for many booster seats, a full sized bath towel will work well). You can keep the cover in place with clips or tacks; just make sure they aren?t where your child can reach them, or where they can poke your child. Then, whenever the cover gets dirty, it can simply be removed, washed, and replaced, as with a commercial cover.

If you do not wish to use a car seat cover, the entire car seat can be washed by hand, using a mild soap and warm water. Strong or abrasive cleaners should be avoided, as they can have a cumulative damaging effect on the car seat’s materials, which may lead to a shortening of the useful life of the car seat.

You can use an outdoor water hose to help reach into the crevices of the car seat, but be sure to keep the water pressure low enough so as not to damage the surfaces of the car seat. The car seat should be allowed to dry completely before it is reinstalled in the vehicle. It may seem tempting to leave the car seat out in direct sunlight to dry, but this can have a cumulative effect that can lead to ruining the padding inside the car seat, which will make the car seat uncomfortable for your child to use.

All in all, the cost of a car seat cover is a small price to pay for the ease and convenience it will provide in helping you keep your child’s car seat clean and sanitary, and in prolonging the life of the car seat.

Where to Shop:

GalaxyOfStores is an Online Shopping Center for THOUSANDS of different products for the whole family.

Please visit CHILD CAR SEATS for more information about car seats, as well as a great selection of car seats, strollers, and travel systems, and visit the GalaxyOfStores.com HOME PAGE for all of its great products.

If a child is using either a toddler only car seat, or a ‘convertible’ infant/toddler car seat, its time to transition the child into a booster car seat when he or she has outgrown the existing car seat restraints (usually at about 40 pounds), but is not yet ready for just seat belts (the minimum height recommended for a child to start using just seat belts is 4′9″). Booster car seats can typically accommodate a child from 30 to 100 pounds (usually 4 to 8 years of age). Child car seat manufacturers are bound by very strict guidelines, and you may be surprised to find that some of the more expensive car seats don’t provide any better level of protection than those which are more moderately priced.

Many State laws require children to be in a safety car seat only up to age 4 or so, and many parents assume that children who are older than this will be safely restrained by just an adult safety belt. This, however, is not the case. An automobile’s seat belt system is designed for use by adults, not small children, and it usually will not fit a child properly. A booster car seat is designed to improve the fit of the vehicle’s safety belt system across the child’s body, for greater comfort and safety. (A booster car seat should never be positioned in front of an air bag, as deployment of the bag can cause serious (even fatal) injuries to a child.)

Booster car seats are available with either a “high back” or a “low back”. High back car seats should always be used in cars without headrests, or with low seats, both to provide the child with a comfortable place to rest his or her head, and to provide protection against “whiplash” in an accident. Low back car seats are generally cheaper than high back car seats, and are easier to move from car to car, but should only be used in cars with headrests and high seat backs.

High back car seats are often available with a 5 point harness (when car seats are not being used with a harness, they are considered being used in the “belt positioning” mode). Using a harness is generally the safest way to restrain a child, and it is recommended that, if a harness is used, it be used until the child outgrows it (usually at about 40 pounds). There are also ‘convertible’ toddler/booster child car seats available. These car seats can be used for children from the time they are ready to start using a toddler car seat until they are ready to start using just the car seats belts.

Booster car seats are designed to raise the child up so that the lap and shoulder seat belts fit properly. Belt positioning car seats must always be used with a car’s lap and shoulder belt (never with a lap only belt). The car seat will raise a child so the lap belt goes over the child’s pelvis and hips (instead of his or her abdomen), and the shoulder belt crosses the middle of the child’s chest and shoulder (the car seat may have a clip that can be adjusted to ensure that the shoulder belt does not cross the child’s face or neck).

Where to Shop:

GalaxyOfStores is an Online Shopping Center for THOUSANDS of different products for the whole family.

Please visit CHILD CAR SEATS for more information about car seats, as well as a great selection of car seats, strollers, and travel systems, and visit the GalaxyOfStores.com HOME PAGE for all of its great products.