Margie Hartigan спросил 9 месяцев назад car seats by age (daoqiao.net)
Each car seat is specifically designed to be suitable for a particular age group. Children should be in their car seat until they are at the limit of the manufacturer’s weight or height. Then, they can use a booster until their belts are properly fitted, usually when they are between 10 and 12 years old, or 4 feet 9 inches tall.
When shopping for a new car seat, think about features like fabric that resists staining, removable pieces that can be machine washed and equipment that is easy to clean.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats hold babies and toddlers, protecting their delicate spines and necks in the event of a collision. They are also safer since they spread the impact force over a larger surface area which reduces spinal cord injuries.
Parents are often enticed by the idea of shift their children into forward-facing car seats before they’re ready. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends to keep them rear-facing as long as is possible. The manufacturer will tell you when your child is ready to move forward-facing.
Children’s head are large in relation to their bodies and still developing. This makes them more vulnerable to injury in a crash. In reality the head of a child could generate up to 25 times the force of their bodyweight in a collision — more than enough to cause a fatal injury. That’s why young children are at the highest risk of sustaining fatal head injuries when they are in a front-facing car seat.
Many parents think that their kiddos have stronger necks than their older children, meaning they’ll be able to make the transition to a forward-facing car seat sooner. But it’s important to remember that a child who is in the 95th percentile isn’t as strong as 5th percentile kids, and no amount of push-ups for teens can change that. In the event of a car accident a bigger kid’s head is likely to be struck with more force, which could cause brain and spinal cord injuries.
When your child outgrows their infant car seat newborn car seat, you can switch them into a convertible car seat that allows them to remain facing the rear until they reach the maximum height or weight limit. Generally, children will attain their maximum height first, so it’s important to pay close attention to the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your car seat on when to switch to forward-facing mode.
If your child is at the limit of weight or height of their convertible best car seats for newborns uk seat, you’ll have to place them in an adult booster seat. Most booster seats have an inbuilt angle indicator that will inform you when the seat is properly installed and is ready to switch into forward-facing mode. You should only use a booster seat in the back seat of your vehicle, and only with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the strongest protection for your child in a crash.
Forward-facing
Many parents are tempted to switch their kids’ car seats around as they get older because it’s more convenient. But they must keep in mind that rear-facing is safer for children.
The fact that a child is facing forward in a car seat puts their necks in danger in the event of a crash, as the head can be thrown by force against the seat’s front and could cause permanent injury to the spine. Whiplash can still occur even if the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially relevant for children younger than them, such as infants.
A child who is facing forward is more likely to strike their head against the dashboard or on the window in the event of the course of a crash. Depending on the type of crash and the speed at which the vehicle is moving the head could be pushed backwards against the seat and break the skull or the spinal cord.
The current safety standards require children to remain rear-facing until they reach 20 pounds and 1 year old. The reason is that children younger than one year old do not have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on collision which is the most serious kind of car accident.
The use of a harness or tether when facing rear helps ensure that the child’s head is stable and reduces stress on their necks. A rear-facing child will also be less prone to head injuries, as the impact will be cushioned by their seat.
If you have a child younger than one year old, and they are in a convertible seat or an all-in-one that can be turned from forward-facing to rear-facing at any point, make sure you read the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine when it’s safe for them to face forward. The manufacturer’s guidelines will tell whether or the need for a tether exists and what the maximum weight and height is for the specific seat.
Once your child is at the maximum weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer, they are able to travel with a forward-facing seat that has a tether. Once they’ve outgrown it, the time is now to move on to a booster.
Booster seat
There isn’t a set age or height at which children are able to safely stop using the booster seat. The booster seat should be used until the child’s vehicle belt fits properly. This could happen anywhere between 8 and 13 years old.
A booster raises the height of a child so that they can sit comfortably upright in a car. The shoulder part of a belt is set so that it sits close to the chest, but not directly above. The lap portion of the belt should rest on the thighs, not on the stomach. Booster seats include a belt guide that helps to ensure the belt is properly placed.
Booster seats come with or without a backrest. The most popular model is a high-back booster, which offers neck and head support for children. It is a great option for vehicles with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters are cheaper however they do not provide neck or head support. Some all-in-one boosters allow users to switch between booster and harness modes, which makes them suitable for kids in harness mode up to about 65 pounds and then as an adult booster seat until about 100 pounds.
Some boosters come with an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) that connects to the vehicle’s lower anchors and a tether in the event that it is available. Certain boosters require a seat belt to keep them in place. You can refer to the owner’s manual of your vehicle to find out if you can use the lower anchors. Also, read the instructions for the booster seat to learn how to use it.
Some parents might be enticed to let their 3-year old 30 pounds child take a straight booster seat since they’re getting too tall for a car seat. But rushing to «graduate» your child from the harness is risky. Children can be injured or even killed if the belt is too loose in an accident.
Back seat
All children should have a child safety seat or booster seat that is properly installed for as long as they’re able. Children who are too tall for a rear-facing car seat or have outgrown its height and weight limits should transition to a forward-facing child restraint with a harness until they’re too tall for this type of seat.
Once your child has outgrown the infant car seat, you can move them to a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seats with the option of rear-facing. These seats are generally good for two years, or until the child reaches the maximum height and weight of the seat. If you own a car with a middle seat, install the car safety seat so that it can be secured tightly in this position using the lower anchor system or seat belt.
If your child is no longer in a rear facing infant car seat-facing car seat it is possible to place them into a front-facing child restraint equipped with a harness and tether. These seats are generally used until your child reaches 57 inches in height or exceeds the maximum weight and height recommendations for the seat. The instructions from the manufacturer or a tag on the car seat will inform you the height and weight it can be.
If possible the older children should be seated in a booster seat or lap belt. If they aren’t able to, they should use the middle back seat restraint. It is also recommended to not sit in front of the car if the airbag is active. Placing children in the front seat can increase the chance of injury in a crash, because the impact forces are greater on their smaller bodies.
It’s a good idea bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station for assistance in deciding on and installing the most suitable child safety seat. They can also check to see if your child’s car seat has been recalled due to safety concerns or flaws. You can then buy one that is suitable for your vehicle and child’s height. If you’re unable to test a seat before purchasing ensure that it comes with an exchange policy.
