Features of a Great Child Safety Seat

Every parent's ultimate concern is baby safety. One of the key elements in that plan is selecting the right safety seat for the car. Keep these tips in mind when looking for the ideal design.

The first considerations are age and weight. Babies less than one year of age need to have a safety seat that is especially made for their small size. It should also be rear facing and not intended for use by older babies.

The average weight for a child between the ages of one and four is about 20 to 40 pounds. Of course, they're also taller than small babies, and they keep increasing in height as they get older. That opens up the possibility of a forward-facing car seat, which is a little more convenient for parents. However, it still needs to be placed in the back seat.

Convenience doesn't have to be sacrificed for any of these goals, of course. Many models are convertible. That is, they can be turned from a rear-facing position to forward-facing with a few simple movements. But don't forget about the specifications concerning weight and age.

It's essential that the car seat you use meets some minimum standards. A 5-point harness attachment design is key. So the parents can use the car's safety belt to fasten the baby seat at the shoulders, hips and between the legs. That provides a very stable, secure platform.

It's helpful to have an overhead shield, too. These are padded covers that rotate down over the child. AT-shield is another option; this is a padded attachment for the should straps, in the shape of a T of course.

Look for models with a tether at the top that can be attached from the top of the child's car seat to an anchor point in the car. That adds extra safety. Some have a system called LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children). This eliminates the need to use the car's safety belts which, after all, were designed for larger children and adults. The car seat attaches, instead, entirely to the anchors.

A baby car safety seat that makes it easy to safely and securely add or remove padding, blankets and more provides additional comfort and safety. As well, parents don't have to spend as much time making adjustments to the seat for a good fit. That's a win-win situation for both. Some even have integrated travel vests that can be buckled around the child.

The twin concerns of convenience and safety are once again addressed by models that simplify the process of inserting and adjusting the restraining belts. Parents are busy people and it's all too easy to take an occasional shortcut. But no one wants to sacrifice safety. A model that needs just a few seconds to put in or move is the answer to all of those issues.