Car Seat: Necessary or Optional?

Nowadays, accidental road deaths from car trips are still the most common death cause in children under the age of fifteen. One cause of death is while traveling in a car the children haven’t sat in a safety child seat, or a car seat and some of them are installed in the wrong way.

The benefit of putting your baby in a car seat

Car seat training helps reduce the severity of the accidents and injuries. From overseas statistics, putting infants and toddlers younger than one year old in a car seat can reduce the number of deaths from car accidents by 71%. In young children from 1 to 4 years will reduce the number of deaths from car accidents by 54%. Choosing the right car seat is essential.

4 ways to choose a car seat for your baby

1. Choose to suit your baby’s age. Choosing a suitable car seat for your baby will depend on your baby’s age, weight, and height.
2. Pay attention to the quality. Most car seats have an expiration date. You should get one with a quality seal.
3. Read the manual before installing. Car seat installation must be solid. The strap is in good condition and in the right position.
4. Be cautious when buying a second-hand car seat. If it’s a used car seat, ask the owner if it has been used before. Don’t use a damaged car seat or a car seat with a history of accidents because if its structure is broken, it may cause harm.

How to properly install a car seat

Car seat for a baby should be positioned by turning to face the back of the car until the baby turns two years old. It’s because the infant’s neck bones are still too weak. Setting the car seat facing the back can help reduce the impact. The strap should be in the correct position, not too tight or too loose. Using a car seat won’t limit for the long journeys only. Accidents can happen all the time even on such a short distance trip. It’s highly recommended to put your baby in a car seat every time. When the baby grows bigger, you should change into a booster seat which will help lift the child up taller so that he/she can use the seat belt in the car. If the car brakes suddenly, your baby will be safely seated and don’t crash with the parts of the car.