How to Choose the Safest Car Seat for Your Child

Is your child's car seat installed correctly? Are you using an appropriate seat for their age and size? It is estimated that up to 90% of car seats are not being used properly. Below I will discuss the different types of car seats, car seat laws, installation tips, as well as recommendations for some highest rated car seats for each category.

The most important aspect in choosing a child safety seat is whether or not it fits your child and your vehicle. You need to make sure the seat you buy is the right kind for your child's age, weight, and height. It also needs to be compatible with your vehicle. Local stores such as babies' r us will let you take floor models out to your car for practice installation. This would also be a good time to make sure your child fits into it and it's comfortable for them. A helpful website where you can type in your vehicle make and model and see what seats work well in it is at the end of the article.

Here is a guideline of the 4 main types of car seats on the market today and the requirements for their use. Infant car seats are bucket type seats, have a handle for easy carrying and transporting and most can be snapped into a stroller to make a travel system. They can be used with or with a base which is installed into the vehicle and makes it easier to get the carrier car seat in and out without having to re-install it each and every time. Infant car seats are rear facing only and generally work for infants between 5-20 lbs though some have higher weight limits. Many have set height limits as well, between 26-32 inches but what is important is that there is at least an inch of the plastic shell above your baby's head. Some infants have longer torso's and other's height is in their legs so don't rely only on the products description for use regarding height. The age for using an infant seat is usually birth until a year old, however many infants outgrow their car seats before their first birthday and will need to transition to a convertible car seat and still remain rear-facing. Important things to look for are a front harness adjuster and a 5 point harness.

Convertible car seats are those that can be used both rear facing and later on forward facing. The weight and height limits vary depending on model but most accommodate infants from 5 lbs up until 40 lbs. Many now have higher weight limits and this is important for many reasons which will be discussed later on. It is possible to skip the infant car seat and go straight to a convertible but many parents find that their newborn does not fit as snugly in a huge car seat and if you go this route you lose the convenience of an infant carrier. An average age range is whenever your infant outgrows the carrier car seat until around age 4.

Combination seats are those that are forward facing only and have a 5 point harness system as well as the ability to be used later on as a high back belt-positioning booster. These often have higher harness settings than convertibles so your child will be able to stay in it for longer. Most are designed to be used as a harnessed seat from a year old and at least 20 lbs up until around age 4 or 40 lbs. Some now have higher weight limits so your child can stay harnessed for even longer. When your child is either too heavy or too tall you take out the internal harness system and the car seat is now a high back booster which will use standard car seat belts. Most have an opening above the shoulder for the seat belt to go so that it is lined up right on your child's body.

A booster seat only is used for children who are too big for a harnessed seat and old enough and mature enough to use the seat belt only. A booster will boost the child up high enough so that the seat belt fits in the correct way and if it has a high back and/or wings it will provide even more support. Depending on your child and the booster seat they are generally used for over 40 lbs and until 80-100 lbs.

Car seats to avoid are those that are used or have been in an accident. You don't know the condition of the car seat even if everything looks to be fine on the outside, it could have internal damage putting your child at risk. Also 3 point harnessed seats are not recommended as they provide less restraint as a 5 point does. Years ago T-shield and overhead shield car seats were popular but these are also not recommended as they can be dangerous and not nearly as safe as other seats available today. Car seats should also be checked for recalls before being used. See the resources at the end of article to find out if your seat has been recalled. And any seat with missing or altered parts should not be used. Car seats may not be safe to use if they have been stored in extreme heat or cool temperatures so putting your infant seat up in the attic for a few years is not recommend. It can warp the seat and plastic decomposes so please store it somewhere that will keep it in the best possible condition. Car seats also expire, most brands last for 5 years though some allow for 8. Usually the date of manufacture and expiration date are printed somewhere along the base of your seat so check this out before using. Car seats expire for several reasons the biggest being that technology changes quickly and seats that were sold 10 yrs ago are not nearly as safe as those manufactured today. Cars also change so depending on the year of your vehicle, older seats may not be compatible.

Tether anchors are one of the changes made in recent years. Most vehicles manufactured after 1999 and all after 2002 are equipped with at least 2 metal hooks in the back of the seat or on the vehicle floor. Current car seats have a top-tether strap attached to the back of the seat and a metal hook that will be anchored to the vehicles tether. This is an important safety issue because it will restrict head movement in an accident, Car seats not attached using a tether will move much more than those that have one, even in the tightest installed seat. Convertible and combination car seats should be used with the tether strap connected when forward facing. Only a few seats currently allow for rear-facing tether attachment so check the users manual. Older vehicles can be retro-fitted with tether anchors by calling the dealership. Some will charge for this and others may do it for free. Tethers are used in combination with either the vehicle seat belt or L.A.T.C.H system.

L.A.T.C.H. stands for Lower Anchor and Tethers for Children. Car seats equipped with LATCH (all 2002 and newer) have the top tether as well as two lower tethers that will connect to metal hooks between the car seat bottom and back. The lower anchor tethers are designed to be used instead of the vehicle car seat belts. It is not necessarily safer to use the bottom latch straps but it generally is easier to install a car seat this way and ease of use means it is more likely to be secure. Older vehicles may not have latch anchors so it will be necessary to use the car seat belts to install the car seat. Other improvements in car seats are Side impact protection, built-in lock offs, and anti-rebound bar which are available in some models.

Car Seat laws vary by state. See the resource list at the end for a link to your states current laws. Most state such that infants under the age of one year AND 20 pounds must be restrained in a rear facing car seat. Children over a year and over 20 lbs must be restrained in a harnessed seat until age 4 or 40 pounds. Children under 80 pounds and 8 years of age should be safely seated in a booster car seat. These laws are generally minimum requirements and it is important to keep your child as safe as possible.

Infants and toddler should remain rear-facing for as long as possible. While the law may say that you can turn your child around after they weigh 20 lbs and have passed their first birthday this doesn't mean it's the safest way to restrain your child in a vehicle. Many seats have the capacity to keep your child harnessed rear-facing up to 33 lbs so if your child is under these requirements; it is wise to do so. In the event of an accident the vehicle usually comes to a sudden stop. After stopping, bodies move forward which is why whip lash is common. Your torso may be restrained safely to the seat of the vehicle but your head continues to move. If a young child is rear-facing the impact is much less. They are at an angle and when the car moves forward after stopping their body and head is safely cocooned by the car seat. Basically a person of any age would benefit from rear-facing but seats do no accommodate this. In Sweden, for instance children remain rear-facing until they are 4 years old. They also have bigger car seats to allow this so it's easier done there than in other countries.

Once your child truly has to be switched to forward facing it is important that they remain in a 5 point harness for as long as possible. Again many car seats are now allowing for heavier, taller, older children to stay harnessed. A 5 point will always be safer than a 3 point standard car seat belt; this is why race car drivers use them because in the event of an accident you will have the benefit of restraint on both shoulders, both legs and meeting in the center of the body. A belt positioning or standard booster seat should not be used until the child weighs at least 40 lbs and is mature enough to sit up straight the entire car trip. If you think they might fall asleep, a booster is not a wise choice as it won't hold them in safely unless they are completely upright and the strap falls across the middle of their shoulder and diagonally thru their body. Several car seats now accommodate children up to 65 - 80 lbs harnessed so it is safest to use one of these before switching to a booster seat.

Installation of the car seat is as important as finding the correct seat to use for your child. It is imperative that you follow the directions of both the car seat manual as well as your vehicles owner manual when installing the seat. Once installed the car seat should not move an inch in the direction of the belt path. If latch and/or the top tether is used it will likely be a tighter fit. What may help is to put all your weight into the car seat when tightening the belt so that it is as snug as possible. When putting your child in the seat make sure that a rear-facing child's shoulders are above the harness straps while a forward facing child's shoulders should fall at or below the harness slots. The straps should be tight enough that you can only put a finger underneath them. The chest clip should be raised to be at armpit height. Coats or blankets should not be worn underneath the car seats straps. This will compress and not keep your safe in an accident. The safest position for a car seat is the back middle seat. The front seat is not safe for a child under age 12 and car seats should definitely not be installed when the vehicle is equipped with airbags. While some parents are able to correctly install their child's safety seat, many are not. Car Seat Technicians have been trained to install a variety of seats in different vehicles so it's a good idea to go get yours professionally installed or at the least checked out. Many times hospitals and fire and police stations have car seat techs so please see the resources listed below to find out how to get this done.

Here are some top rated car seats and a brief description provided by babiesrus.com and the car seat manufacturer:

Infant car seats include the Britax Companion retail price of $190. For use with babies 4-22lbs and up to 30 inches in length. Unique features including anti-rebound bar, True Side Impact Protection (TSIP) head pad, push button release LATCH system, multiple recline positions and built-in vehicle belt lock-offs, make a tight installation in your vehicle quick and simple. The tangle-free polyester 5-point harness helps to effortlessly secure your child every day. The Companion also offers soft shoulder pads, belly pad, sun canopy, and a plush & washable seat cover. This infant car seat is compatible with Britax appropriate strollers as a travel system.

The Graco Safeseat has a retail price of $130-199 depending on model. The new Infant SafeSeat™ is one of the only infant car seats on the market that will accommodate a child rear-facing up to 30 lbs. and 32 inches tall. Thus, this car seat fits 97% of one-year-olds, which is very important because children must remain in a rear-facing car seat at least until they reach one year of age AND at least 20 lbs. The convenient stay-in-car base features an innovative belt lock-off which tightly secures the vehicle seatbelt for easy installation. One-hand dial adjustment on the base will also help ensure that you have the proper angle for installation. The patent pending, 5-point harness buckle features front adjustment which makes buckling & unbuckling more pleasant for both parent & child. This lightweight car seat is also equipped with an ergonomic handle to provide premium cushioning and comfort.

The Peg Perego Primo Viaggio retails for $230. Features Side-impact protection includes an extra pad for the seat with heavily padded wings to surround and protect Baby's head. A 5-point restraint belt system is adjustable with 1 hand. An easy-carry handle and LATCH equipped. Redesigned seat installs in vehicle with or without the base. For babies up to 22 lbs. or 30 tall and is certified for use in cars and aircraft.

Recommended convertible seats are the Britax Marathon, Decathalon and Boulevard all which can be used rear-facing until 33 lbs and forward facing until 65 lbs. Of the three the Boulevard has the most features and retails for $300. The Boulevard™ convertible car seat is the crown jewel in the Britax line of 'True Side Impact Protection™ restraints. The deep side wings with EPS foam are engineered and tested for optimum side impact protection and adjust effortlessly with the turn of a knob to grow with your child-without removing the seat from your vehicle! The Britax-famous features of built-in lock-offs, 5-point harness with front adjuster, tangle-free webbing, push button release LATCH system with patented Versa-Tether™, and sculpted base ensures an easy installation with a secure fit. Comfort abounds with a plush, washable cover, while additional comfort foam, patented HUGS™ system, shoulder belt comfort pads, integrated toddler pillow, and a removable infant body pillow provide a perfect, adjustable fit as your child grows from 5 to 65 pounds.

Cheaper but made by the same company just sold under the Fisher Price name is the Safe Voyage car seat which costs $180. The Safe Voyage Deluxe Convertible Car Seat is suitable to safely transport children up to 55 pounds, well above the weight range of typical restraints. With the easy adjust 5-point harness, flexible LATCH vehicle connections, contoured shell, energy absorbing EPS safety foam with additional soft comfort foam, the Safe Voyage 55-Pound Convertible Car Seat provides proven safety well into the toddler years.

The Evenflo Triumph retail price between $120-150 depending on features is an even cheaper alternative. The Triumph Premier Convertible Car Seat from Evenflo includes the following features: Rear Facing for infants 5 to 30 lbs., Forward Facing for infants 20 to 40 lbs., BuckleRight™ 5-point harness give visual verification when securely fastened, Meets or exceeds all applicable U.S. safety standards, 3 position adjustable harness, HeightRight® harness system makes all adjustments from front, 2 buckle strap positions accommodate growing child, Up-front Multi-position ReclineRight™ base, FitRight™ removable body pillows - infant body pillow, harness covers and toddler head pillow, TensionRight™ knob adjusts all belts easily from the side, FitRight™ fold-down cup holder for easy access to drinks and folds out of the way when not in use, Built in Memory Foam for extra comfort, Premium Micro-Suede Material EPS foam liner.

Combination seats are the Eddie Bauer Cosco Summit Seat costs $120. The Eddie Bauer High Back Booster with LATCH belt system meets new 9/1/02 standards. The seat can be installed with vehicle belts, has a 5 point harness for a child 22-40 pounds and a belt positioning booster for children 30-100 pounds. There is a 4 position internal shoulder harness system and a 3 position recline that adjusts with one-hand ease. This is a roomy seat for napping and a slide out cup holder in the base.

The Apex 65 costs $130. This booster/combination car seat offers tons of features and modern fashions, plus a 65 lb. internal harness system! Features: LATCH equipped for forward-facing 22-65 lbs., High-back belt-positioning booster 40-100 lbs. and up to 57 inches in height, 5-point internal harness system, Up-front harness adjustment, 3-position adjustable headrest, Detachable cup holder, Toddler insert, Fixed padded armrests.

The Britax Regent while not a combination seat is a safe choice when your child outgrows their current car seat but before they are ready to go into a booster only car seat. It costs $250 but allows for the highest weight and height limits of any 5 pt harnesses seat and holds a child up until 80 lbs.

Recommended Booster seats are the Britax Parkway Express priced at $99. The Britax Parkway™ belt-positioning booster has been designed for increased safety incorporating deep torso and adjustable height head support. True Side Impact Protection™, developed by Britax engineers, has been confirmed through rigorous side impact sled testing to better contain a child in dangerous side-impact crashes. The seat shape correctly positions the lap belt over your child's pelvis while the shoulder belt guide keeps the vehicle belt comfortably away from his/her neck. Plush, washable fabrics, convenient drink and snack trays, reclining backrest, color coded vehicle belt guides, and the contoured, slip-resistant base of the Parkway™ provide safety, comfort and convenience in true Britax fashion. This car seat is designed to fit children from 30-100 pounds.

Fisher Price Safe Voyage Booster Seat retails for $80. The new Safe Voyage Booster Seat is the ultimate in versatility for properly positioning your child in the vehicle shoulder-lap belt system. With a removable, expandable base and one-hand height adjustment, children ranging in height from 39 inches to 57 inches can ride safely and comfortably as they grow through the years. The energy absorbing EPS foam in the head and back areas offer extra side impact protection and comfort, while covered armrests and a removable cup holder deliver additional convenience during long road trips.

Graco Turbo booster cost is between $50-70 depending on features. The Graco TurboBooster™ features a reversible seat pad with cool knits for warm weather and cozy fleece for cold weather comfort. With cool, sporty features and comfy GracoPedic memory foam in the seat area, your child is sure to feel great riding around in the TurboBooster. The easy-to-adjust headrest features EPS, energy absorbing foam for enhanced impact protection. The belt positioners, intuitive and easy to use, aid in proper seat belt positioning. Kids are sure to love the padded arm rests and the hide-away cup holders on either side of the seat - perfect for storing drinks, snacks, and toys for those long rides. The TurboBooster youth booster seat is for children from 3 to 10 years old and 30 to 100 pounds.

Once you have decided on a seat and made sure it fits your child and your vehicle, it's time to get it correctly installed. Your child's safety relies on this and you will be much more comfortable knowing you secured them adequately before driving away.