In the life of an average person, a significant part of it is devoted to being inside a car for transport and travel. In a typical, well-developed metropolitan setting, hours and hours are spent every day on the road, beating rush hour traffic, going from point to point.
If you have a child traveling with you on some days, their safety is your utmost concern. Your mind must prioritize on things that could go wrong while you’re on the road, en route to the park, mall, office, or any other destination.
To ease your mind of the tension and worry about your little one’s security, it is essential to choose the right car seat. A car seat is probably one of the most important things you can get for your child when you’re on the go. With a vast array of options, brands, and models to choose from, it can be a daunting and nerve-wracking task. Websites such as top10bestpro provide insights on which car seats are suitable for your needs.
Here’s a rundown of 5 tips to help you choose the correct car seat for your precious treasure:
1. Verify compatibility with your vehicle
For the car seat to be installed correctly, you have to do your assignment to research the car manufacturer manual before deciding on the car seat. How it will be installed depends on how the vehicle is configured. Typically, installation can be done using a belt system, but for newer cars, there’s this thing called the LATCH system, which stands for “Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children”. You must consult the sales technician before making the purchase.
2. Decide on the car seat orientation
A car seat can be facing front or facing rear, or even use a booster seat. As much as possible, a rear-facing set-up is ideal for newborns and infants, and front-facing for children two years. Height and weight are important in considering orientation. You should not use rear-facing if your child has outgrown the car seat- that is if he or she is a lot taller and his or her head is protruding significantly from the seat.
3. Know how much room you have
There are car seats that are designed for larger-type vehicles such as SUV’s and pick-up trucks, and narrower models intended for smaller-type cars, such as hatchbacks and some sedans. Before purchasing, make sure it fits. It would be wise to allow the sales rep to see your car’s set-up.
4. Install it properly
Choosing the right one is one-half of the story, but installing it correctly is another half of it. Remember, it is your child’s life that’s the ultimate concern here- so take time to read the manual on how to install the car seat correctly. Doing so improperly will compromise the safety that the car seat is supposed to provide for your beloved child.
5. Certify your installation with an expert
After the installation, you can take it to a local expert or safety technician to have it certified and given the thumbs-up in protecting your child. This will free your mind, and you can breathe easy once quality check and installation has been approved.
I hope this was helpful. If you have any more tips for choosing a car seat, do share with us and I will add them. You can do so by commenting below 😀