Safety Rules!

Safety rules, when looking to purchase the right car seat for your baby. All car seats manufactured today, will fit the minimum federal and state requirements for safety. After that, there are other concerns that are not so noticeable.

With safety in mind, we can look at the types of fasteners that actually hold the baby into the car seat. This is very important. All "old school" car seats had the traditional, two point locking system that slid over the baby's head and fastened into the car seat between their legs. While this meets most state safety guidelines, it has taken a "back seat" to the safest and newest models, called a five point locking system. The five point locking carrier has straps that fit around the babies arms and snap. This lock then fits into the mechanism that holds the infant into the car seat. These have been proven to be more than 60% safer than the traditional car seats.

As the arrival of your new addition draws closer, expectant parents will need to prepare their homes and cars to make room. The size of your car will also play a roll in what kind of car seat to purchase. All infant car seats must be rear facing. If you have a two door car,instead of a sedan or SUV, then you'll need to purchase a seat that fits well within the area you have. The new fangled car seats with all the "extras" is probably not your best bet. You can also purchase a car seat that the carrier handle can be easily removed and easily reattached. This will allow for getting in and out of the car as smoothly and easily as possible.

Each individual state has specific guidelines that parents are expected to follow. You can find these on your states child safety guidelines website. Go to any search engine and type in child safety in (where ever you live). You will find a complete data base to make sure your child is as safe as you can make them.

Be sure to purchase your car seat before you leave for the delivery! The hospital staff will check to make sure that your car seat is installed correctly before they will release you and your baby.

After your baby has reached, a minimum, 20 pounds, you will need to buy a toddler car seat that is size appropriate and forward facing. These also come with the five point locking system. Usually at around 40 pounds, you will once again be on the search for the best car seat. These will typically utilize the standard seat belt and will look more like a large booster seat.

When searching for the "right" car seat, aesthetics and extras should only factor in after safety and feasibility have been satisfied. Your babies safety truly is in your hands.

Learn more about this author, Kristi Walker.
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