New legislation in the UK means that your child must be seated in a car seat for almost every journey, with some exceptions. All children, until the age of 12, or until they reach the height of 135cm, must travel with the appropriate safety restraints in place. If you are unsure about the full requirements of the law, check government provided sites for accurate and full information.
The responsibility falls on the driver and not the parent to ensure the law is being adhered to within a vehicle. You need to remember this if you provide transport for children of friends and loved ones, as you will be held accountable if their child is not safely secured appropriately.
If you are expecting a baby, you will be asked by your hospital if you have a car seat for the journey home after birth, making this a purchase you have to buy before your baby is born. These will need replacing as your child grows, which can prove quite expensive.
New car seats have been developed to help you reduce the frequency and costs of replacement car seats. Baby convertible car seats will adjust and expand as your child grows, from infancy through to toddlerhood. The car seat will start out with a comfortable head rest for newborns that is easily removed as they grow. Newborns do not have the neck strength to hold their head in one spot, so this head rest helps them stay comfortable and safe.
You need to bear in mind three essential factors when purchasing a car seat.
Firstly, the size and age of your child; make sure the car seat you purchase is right for your child’s age and height. As the child grows, also keep an eye on the width of the seat. When you think your child has almost outgrown their current seat, look to replace it. Don’t wait until they have outgrown it to resolve the issue.
Next, your car; think about the size of your car, and the ease of getting a child in and out of a seat. Make sure the seat can be fitted with room to spare for manoeuvring.
The final thing to consider is your own skills and time. If you are not the most practical when it comes to pushchairs and car seats go for simple and easy to use products.
Making sure that your child is safe is an essential part of being a parent. As new parents worry about every small thing; having a reliable car seat can be just one less thing to worry about. Infant car seats also need to be rear facing, so keep that in mind as well. They never need to be placed in the front seat of a vehicle. If a car wreck were to occur, the air bag could seriously injure your child, or even be deadly. Car seats are always confusing, so make sure that you read through the instructions thoroughly. This will make you feel more at ease with the safety of your child s car seat. Keep your family safe. Ensure that everyone is wearing their seatbelt; even though teens hate it!
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