Do Your Research Before Purchasing An Infant Car Seat
The most accurate and up-to-date information about the safety of child car seats can be found through federal, state, and/or local governmental websites. One of my favorites is the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”), who keeps a database of defects and recalls on its Child Passenger Safety website. Check the manufacturer’s child restraint recalls database , or click here for additional searches of defaults and recalls , including automobiles, child restraint systems, filing complaints, and investigations information.
Ease-Of-Use Rating System
All child car seats that are rated by the NHTSA meet Federal Safety Standards & strict crash performance standards, but child car seats differ substantially in their ease of use. When you are purchasing a child car seat, it may be helpful to understand the car seat “Ease of Use” ratings provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (the “NHTSA”). This rating system was updated in 2008.
Click here to learn about the NHTSA’s Five-Star Ease-Of-Use rating system . This information will be invaluable when you go out to purchase your infant’s child restraint seat.
Child Seat Fitting Stations Can Help You Install Your Car Seat
Did you know that if you are having trouble installing and using your child car seat, you can go to a nearby Child Seat Fitting Station to get help? It turns out there are fitting stations everywhere, all across the U.S.!
Ever Heard of the LATCH System (“Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children")?
I only recenlty learned about this. Nearly every car seat and most vehicles manufactured since September 1, 2002, are required to have the LATCH system by law.
In too many instances, parents are confused about how to correctly install their child’s seat, don’t know that every seat doesn’t fit in every car, or they don’t realize that their vehicle is equipped with the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system.
Read all about the LATCH system , which also offers videos you can watch demonstrating how to correctly install your infant or child car seat (although I was unable to get the videos to load for me).
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