Keeping your child safe in vehicles requires the correct car seat. One of the most important things about car seat safety is following the directions to make sure your kid is strapped in safely. The other vital thing is following the size requirements for each car seat. To be safest, your child should be strapped in from the time they are a newborn to when they are 4′9″ tall. At this time, usually between the ages of eight to ten, the adult seat belts will fit them.
The car seat should always be placed in the back seat. The first one should be rear-facing. A child should remain rear facing until they weigh at least twenty pounds and are one year old. Both convertible and infant seats can be placed rear facing in a car. Depending on which brand you get, infant-only ones can be used up to either 22 or 32 pounds. These are small in design and might be part of a stroller system. The base is usually separate and can be installed into the car. If you have more than one vehicle, you’ll want multiple bases that this can snap into.
After the infant-only, your child will graduate into a convertible car seat. These are bulkier and larger than the infant ones, but they have a longer usage life. The reason that they are called convertibles is because they can convert from rear-facing to forward-facing, depending on your child’s needs. They do not have separate bases, but instead need to be installed in the vehicle. There are a couple of different kinds of harnesses. There is the overhead shield, which pulls down over the baby, and the 5-point harness, which connects between the legs and at the hips and shoulders. Either can be safe, as long as the children fit comfortably.
The booster seat is for when a child is too old to fit in a car seat, but to small for an adult seat belt. School-age children use these. The easiest way to know that your child is ready for a booster is that they’ve met the maximum height and weight for their car seat. The booster can have a back or be a backless variety. Some models can transition from having a back to being backless. The booster makes sure that the lap and shoulder belts in the car cover the child correctly.
Once you know the right kind of car seat for your child, it’s important that you buy a model that will fit your needs. There isn’t one brand that is the best, and while the more expensive models have extra features and greater convenience, price doesn’t determine the safety. Never use a car seat that has been involved in an accident and avoid a used one if you don’t know its history. All parts as well as instructions need to be included. Also check for recalls before you buy, especially if you are getting one second-hand. Once you buy one, take the time to read the instructions and install it correctly.
The Britax Regent Youth Car Seat is made to be a comfortable, reliable, and safe option for older children who still need to sit in a child seat in the car. Designed for children up to 80 lbs, the Regent includes the highest safety standards and some of the most innovative solutions on the market. Installation is made to be very simple for parents, with push button LATCH connectors and versa-tether anchor aids that secure the seat firmly in place. The tangle-free five-point harness is made of tough polyester that can resist wear and tear during years of heavy use. It attaches quickly, with one hand, without any complicated procedures or unnecessary straps. It also is fitted with convenient belt holders that that keep the harness off to the side so the child can enter the seat easily. Once inside, the harness fits over the shoulders, hips, and collarbone, and can be adjusted into four different shoulder slots to make for a snug fit over the child. As safety goes, Britax is second to none in its reliability and innovation. The seat is equipped with the HUGS (harness ultra guard) system for maximum support and protection. Made of energy absorbing EPS foam, and a thick layer of comfort foam, the system softly and firmly supports the neck and chest, which can protect the child against the harmful forces of a crash and keep him or her comfortable and relaxed during long road trips. It also prevents improper fitting of the harness and chest clip. The entire seat is also lined with the EPS foam, so in the event of an accident, the child is safe as the seat diverts the harmful forces away from the body. The seat is designed to make life on the road easy and stress-free for parents and children alike, and it contains many features that allow for an enjoyable car ride. First of all, the seat is made to be very comfortable; with the thick layer of foam lining that supports the child’s body from every direction. The plush padding can suit many quiet naps, and many peaceful car rides. Also, there are mesh storage pouches on the side so the child can have easy access to toys and snacks. Included too are cup holders, making the ride a little easier and less messy. The Britax Regent offers some of the highest safety and reliability standards available, and their products reflect a genuine care for the safety and fun of car rides for both children and parents. The Regent brings many new innovations and thoughtful details that make children comfortable and give parents peace of mind.
- Fits children 30 lbs to 100 lbs, 38″–60″ height
- Adjustable width
- One-hand adjustable headrest
- Deep side wings with EPS foam
- Longer seat with EPE foam insert
