| Let me start by saying that I was a certified | | | | work nicely and have very little drag. Do not |
| technician for child restraint systems for | | | | install all types of aftermarket items in the |
| six years. During that time I personally | | | | seat. They are really unnecessary and can |
| inspected approximately six thousand car | | | | dramatically reduce the safe functioning of |
| seats. I've inspected everything from infant | | | | the seat. In this case, less is more. |
| carriers to booster units for bigger kids. I | | | | |
| guess you could say that qualifies me as an | | | | The next stage would be your convertible |
| expert. | | | | seat. That means it faces both rear and |
| | | | forward. This transition to the larger seat |
| Every one of those seats came with a parent. | | | | is another area that many fall prey to. Never |
| Parents are people and as we all know, some | | | | just face the baby forward even though they |
| people will do it right and read the | | | | may be 20 pounds but only 8 months old. This |
| instructions. They even seek out | | | | is a huge mistake. When forward facing, the |
| professionals to inspect and teach them. Then | | | | child should be at least 1 year of age AND 20 |
| there are parents that look at a seat and | | | | pounds. The reason for that is that the body |
| think how hard can this be; it's just a car | | | | must have the strength to take the G forces |
| seat, and in it goes. They will even invent | | | | created in a crash. This can only happen with |
| ways to secure it. Believe me, they can get | | | | time for the body to mature and be stronger. |
| very imaginative. | | | | The two models that I like for this stage are |
| | | | - the Roundabout and the Marathon by Britax. |
| You should purchase your seat at least one | | | | These two offer the parent great features and |
| month ahead of the birth. See a professional | | | | benefits plus ease of use that is |
| certified technician and learn to use your | | | | unsurpassed. |
| equipment so every ride is a safe ride. | | | | |
| | | | Next they will be moving to booster seats. |
| Every seat meets a federal standard, so have | | | | This is still a necessity to improve the |
| no fear when you buy your seat. The thing you | | | | results in safety if there were a crash. When |
| need to look for is a seat that is user | | | | you're done with your convertible seat, move |
| friendly. | | | | to a booster seat. I recommend the Compass |
| | | | B-500. It's an excellent seat made from |
| If you can easily install it in a vehicle and | | | | polystyrene and is comfortable and user |
| apply the straps to your little one, you will | | | | friendly. |
| no doubt be more confident when you use the | | | | |
| equipment. Some seats are so poorly designed | | | | I have heard parents say they felt it was |
| that nobody can manage the straps. They don't | | | | just a waste of money to keep buying seats |
| fit in the car well and are very difficult to | | | | until the age of at least 8 years old and 80 |
| get tight in a car. | | | | pounds, but if you want to give your child a |
| | | | reasonable chance of surviving an accident |
| Remember every seat is safe. No matter what | | | | and reducing the chance of being severely |
| you chose, you have a tested safety | | | | injured, a booster is a must. |
| apparatus. But all seats are not created | | | | |
| equal. | | | | Use child safety restraints, use them |
| | | | correctly and learn how to use them from a |
| To start your child safety choices, I | | | | professional certified technician. |
| recommend the Snug Ride infant car seat by | | | | |
| Graco. I recommend this seat because it is | | | | Make every ride for your children the ride of |
| easy to install and easy to use. The straps | | | | their lives. |