The shape of car seats, the length of seat belts and the position of seat belt anchor points differ between cars. The manufacturer and retailer should advise you. It is essential to check that the child seat you purchase will fit in your car and that it will fit in all the seat positions you intend to use it. Is the child car seat suitable for my car(s)? Is the child car seat suitable for my child? Toddler or child from 9 kg to 36 kg (20 - 79 lbs) roughly from 9 months to 12 yearsĬhild weighing 15 kg - 25 kg (33 - 55 lbs) roughly 4 to 6 yearsĬhild weighing 15 kg - 36 kg (33 - 79 lbs) roughly 4 to 11 yearsĬhildren weighing 22 kg - 36 kg (48 - 79 lbs) roughly from 6 - 11 years Toddler weighing from 9 kg to 18 kg (20 - 40 lbs) roughly from 9 months to 4 years Rearward and Forward facing Combination seat We recommend that you also call first to confirm hours and/or make an appointment.ĭid you know that 75% of car seats are used or installed incorrectly? Learn more about car seat safety here.Baby weighing up to 10 kg (22 lbs) roughly from birth to 6 - 9 monthsīaby weighing up to 13kg (29 lbs) roughly from birth to 12-15 monthsĬheck the baby's height is within the range of the i-size seat.īaby or toddler weighing up to 18 kg (40 lbs) roughly from birth to 4 yearsīaby or child weighing up to 25 kg (55 lbs) roughly birth to 6 years Visit the Parents Central website to find a car seat inspection station near you. Some local fire stations have certified personnel so you can get your car seat inspected prior to your baby's arrival. If you are delivering at WakeMed Raleigh Campus, a WakeMed representative will inspect your car seat installation and ensure your baby is properly secured. When you are ready to leave the hospital, feel confident that your baby will be safe for the first ride home. There is no current federal standard for testing or regulation, so lean on the side of safety and pass them up. These items may become unattached and become a projected missile during a crash. Sellers of these products create an illusion of added safety where none exists, and they can actually interfere with the safety design of the child seat. The seat manufacturer is still in business and can be contactedĪfter-market products and accessories (items not originally designed for the seat by the manufacturer) may sound good, but most compromise the integrity of the original design.
(get out your magnifying glass)Ĭomplete and reliable history is available no evidence of being in a crash Use the checklist below to ensure a used seat meets each of these criteria.Īll labels and instructions are availableįree of recalls (check make, model & date)Īll parts are present and in working orderįree of cracks, loose rivets, etc. Unknown damage, wear, missing or defective parts are not always visible. Using Used Car Seats & After-Market Products For the safety of your child, think twice about using second-hand seats or after market products.
Since child seats vary in size, shape and comfort, try the different display models in the retail stores and find one that you will be able to use correctly.Įnsure that everyone who transports your child knows how to use your seat properly. Some retail businesses will allow you to "try out" a seat in your car before making a purchase. Wake County SAFE KIDS offers these tips in selecting your child's car seat: Select a seat approved by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and that 1) best fits your child, 2) best fits your vehicle, and 3) will be used correctly every time.
A child restraint, when correctly chosen, installed and used, is extremely effective in reducing deaths and injuries of infants and children.Īccording to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) "Traffic Safety Facts 2001," child restraints, correctly installed and used, were extremely effective in reducing infant and toddler deaths in vehicle crashes. Your child's car seat is one of the most important purchases you'll make during the next few months.