A babies car seat is an essential piece of safety equipment once you have children. It doesn’t matter if you don’t own a car, it is still something you need to consider for when you are in any car with baby.
Remember it is illegal for children to travel without being in a babies car seat. Being constrained within a specially designed seat protects the fragility of a small child from serious injury or death. A small child acts like a missile if they are not secured during an accident; they can easily be thrown from the vehicle, injure themselves or someone else in the vehicle in just seconds.
Don’t just buy the first car seat you see, do your research and you will find a plethora of seats all claiming a range of safety features. All these features are worthwhile but some more so than others. You can also look out for good reviews from independent bodies such as the Which magazine etc.
A rear-facing babies car seat is important for a new born, and this should be used for as long as you can. It is also essential that you get the correct seat for your child’s age and/or weight to protect the child. For example, Group One will take you from 9 months to 4 years old, or 9-18 kg in weight.
Isofix system fixings will simply and safely secure the seat directly to the car structure without having to use an adult seat belt. Most modern cars now have Isofix fittings, but do check first. Isofix greatly reduces the chance of not fitting the seat properly – a badly fitted seat is another cause of injury to children in car accidents. A 5-point harness with adjustable straps for the growing infant will securely hold the child in the seat and well padded sides will protect from the side and make the child more comfortable.
Ensure you do your research thoroughly when choosing your babies car seat. Try and buy new if at all possible, but if buying second-hand, be extra careful. Look for signs of wear on the straps, check the fixings and find out whether the seat has ever been in an accident, if it has, don’t use it as the structure may be compromised.
The Britax Duo Plus Isofix is a Group One babies car seat. It comes highly recommended by several independent reviewers, including Which Magazine. Find out more about this seat and other useful information at www.britaxduoplusisofix.com
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