The size of the car seat is important. A newborn baby cannot sit up so a car seat that allows them to lie down is best. Some car seats are convertible, meaning that they sit up as well as lie down. Some of them even become part of a stroller when taken out of the vehicle. Your child should fit snugly in their car seat, not loose in any way.

Car seats come with specified weight and size restrictions on the label. Always read this label before making your final selection. You want it to last a decent amount of time but it must also be legal and realistic. Keep an eye on your child’s weight as they grow so as not to exceed the car seat’s limit.

A car seat that is easy to install is best. It makes it easy and convenient to take it out of the car and put it back in without risking a mistake. Since many babies fall asleep in the car, taking the whole seat out is preferable by most parents. It also makes it much easier when it comes to babysitters taking the safety seat in their vehicle.

Try doing a consumer search online in order to get consumer reviews from other parents who have personal experience with certain car seats. This is also a great way to learn about any possible recalls. Though it does not happen often, it has happened and it is essential to stay informed.

Asking people that you know and trust for car seat advice definitely does not hurt. Some hospitals will give brand name recommendations as well. Make sure all car seats you consider meet the legal safety requirements for your state or country. Most car seats sold in stores are all legal but this can expire over time. It is best to avoid buying a car seat used.

Always note the year on the car seat label. If it is more than a year or two old, you may want to look around for one that is newer. Things that are related to safety tend to expire and constantly be upgraded to newer, better models. Stay on top of current information regarding car seats, especially if it has been a while since you have needed to buy one or if this is your first time.

Try more than one car seat if you must. Test them out by placing your child in the seat in the store, before you purchase. Make sure the important aspects all fit as they should. Your child’s safety is vital.

Are car seats too expensive? Or are people just plain lazy?

There are different types of car seat, usually varying depending on the size, age or weight of the child. Remember to buy a new car seat – old car seats may not have the latest safety features or may have been compromised in an accident.

Infant car seats – only face the rear; usually used in the back seat; may be used as an infant carrier and may be attachable to a stroller.

Convertible car seats – Used in the rear; when your child gets older may change into a forward-facing car seat or even a booster seat.

Booster seats – the last step before your child can wear a regular seat belt; used with the car’s seatbelt.

It is important that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions about how to attach the car seat. Also, you always want to send in the car seat’s registration form, so you are notified if the manufacturer recalls the seat for any defect. If your child is wearing a heavy coat, make certain that the harness straps are tight. Make sure to tighten the straps when your child wears lesser outerwear (when the weather warms up). Some safety agencies recommend removing your child’s outerwear in the car, so that the child can be fastened securely into the car seat.

Do not re-use a car seat after a serious accident – one that causes severe damage to the car. Get a new one.

Common car seat mistakes:

Placing child in wrong size car seat for his weight/size;

Placing a rear-facing car seat in the front seat of the car;

Not making sure the harness is tightened correctly;

Positioning the harness chest clip incorrectly;

Not using the latch correctly.

Not just a safety issue, it’s the law. Below I summarize New York Vehicle and Traffic Law, Section 1229-c. For specific questions, consult the statute. No person shall operate a motor vehicle in this state unless:

(1) all back seat passengers under the age of four are restrained in a specially designed seat which is either permanently affixed or is affixed to such vehicle by a safety belt,

(2) all back seat passengers of such vehicle who are age four or older but under age seven are restrained in an appropriate child restraint system (+ combination lap and shoulder harness belts)

(3) all front seat passengers (a) under the age of sixteen are restrained by a safety belt; or (b) if they are under the age of four, by a specially designed seat which is either permanently affixed or affixed to such vehicle by a safety belt, or children who are age four or older but under age seven are restrained in an appropriate child restraint system (+ combination lap and shoulder harness belts)

The rule changes somewhat if: the passenger four or younger weighs more than 40 pounds, or if the car is not equipped with shoulder harness belts, or if all the lap and shoulder belts are already in use by other children in the car

No person shall operate a motor vehicle unless such person is restrained by an approved safety belt. No person sixteen years of age or over shall be a passenger in the front seat of a motor vehicle unless such person is restrained by an approved safety belt.

This section shall not apply to taxis, liveries, and buses other than school buses EXCEPT no person shall operate a school bus unless all passengers under the age of four are restrained in a specially designed detachable or removable seat, or another approved restraining device.

Automobiles without a rear seat, are not the best choice for traveling with children in car seats. But some cars do have the option to deactivate the front passenger air bag, for the use of car seats in the front seat of the automobile. It’s highly recommend to review your vehicle owner’s manual for complete information.

Additionally, many new automobiles have side air bags for improved safely during a side-impact crash. If you automobile has side air bags, review both your vehicle owners manual and the car seat manual for instructions on proper car seat placement.

The second step is proper latching or attaching the car seat to the vehicle. Many vehicles have a LATCH system that eliminates the need to use seat belts to secure the car safety seat. Vehicles with a LATCH system have anchors located in the back seat. Car safety seats that come with LATCH have attachments that fasten to these anchors. Nearly all passenger vehicles and all car safety seats made on or after September 1, 2002, come with LATCH. However, unless both your vehicle and the car safety seat have this anchor system, you will still need to use seat belts to install the car safety seat.

If you have questions or need help installing your car safety seat, find a certified CPS Technician. A list of certified CPS Technicians is available by state or ZIP code on the NHTSA Web site. A list inspection stations where you can go to learn how to correctly install a car safety seat is available in English and Spanish at Seat Check’s Web Site.

It only takes a few minutes to properly install a car seat, and only a few second to safely buckle up your child. It’s a small effort to ensure your child is safe.

Choosing childrens car seats is for your first born is a very important subject for every parent. There is a wide variety of choice in child car seats, the likes of britax, maxi-cosi or graco car seats are just some of the better known car seat manufacturers. These companies always provide a world of information to help you to make an informed decisison too.

The best source of information are forums where parents share their experiences about the car seats they are using. One issue you always come across over and over again is that parents don\’t check with the manufaturer if the car seat of choice is compatible with their car. And this often causes a lot of frustrations.

Always be sure to spend a little time in researching the baby seat of choice. This will prevent any future frustrations but most importantly that your baby is safe. Also be sure to choose the one that is right for your baby or child\’s age.

Childrens car seats come in Group 0, 1, 2 or 3, which is basically helping you as a parent to make sure you choose a car seat that fits the age and weight of your child. Another option you have is buying a car seat that grows with your child, although these are often for babies around 9 months old and onwards. If you are not familiar with the issues above it would be good to check the guidelines on this at the manufacturers.

Overall just think about buying a car seat that is both safe for your child first and for most but also is practical for you as a parent. Because as your child grows he or she will change from a rear facing position to a front facing position, or some stage you want to carry the baby around when shopping, so a detachable seat from the base would be very convenient. These are just little things you may not necessarily think about when you are a parent for the first time.

An interesting fact is that only 30% of child seatsare installed correctly when using an adult seat belt and 96% when using the Isofix system! This may be another important factor in choosing a baby car seat. Your car may be already equipped with the standardised Isofix and top tether anchorage points as these are standard on new car models since 2006. By 2011 all cars need to adhere to this standard.

So when you are in the process of buying a car seat please first check the safety, practicality of the car seat and if it is compatible with your car, then maybe check forums to see what parents have to say about this car seat. This will make sure your child is safe and prevents future frustrations when choosing the childrens car seat for your new born.

1. Incredible Protection

Sellers of car seat covers actually suggest that a great car seat cover to buy is a custom-fit car seat cover for your car. Why? Because a custom-fit car seat cover will be able to protect your beloved car from any dust or stains and it will also keep your car into looking like show-room new. If you will be strict at keeping your car’s car seat cover on, it will surely be able to bring it all sorts of positive effects for your car.

2. A Custom Job Is Best

It is best to have some custom-fit car seat covers be made for your car since not all car seats are created with the exact size proportions. A good car seat cover should ensure that there is a snug fit yet not too tight since it will not be good for your car seats either. A lot of people who want custom-fit car seat covers for their cars actually wants to customize the car seat covers a little farther by being able to have the liberty of picking out whichever car seat cover would they want to have as well as the kind of fabric that they want to be used on their car seat cover as well as if ever they’re being adventurous, the type of pattern or design that they want their car seat cover to have.

There are all sorts of car seat cover options that it is really quite easy for a person to get overwhelmed. So when it comes to shopping for a car seat cover it is best to step back a bit, relax and clear your head from all sorts of distractions. This is not really being over dramatic since shopping for a car seat cover is a fairly important decision that you would not want to waste your hard earned money on.

3. Fabrics

Leather, is extremely popular when it comes to making car seat covers because it looks elegant and classy inside the car. If you have a beat up old jalopy then it is best to reconsider since it may look weird inside old cars and won’t be a good return on your money should you ever choose to sell the car (unless, of course, it is a classic car). Another good point to consider when it comes to choosing leather as a car seat cover is that some cars when left under the sun for too long easily absorbs heat. The heat will be stored inside the car and some leather materials (maybe the fake ones) can actually be extremely hot to sit on. You will actually have to wait awhile before you will be able to sit inside your car or you could just endure the blistering heat since after around 30 minutes or so the air conditioning inside the car will be able to dissipate the extreme heat.

Other good notes to consider when it comes to buying car seat covers is to actually have the color of your car seat cover not clash with your car’s exterior paint color. When in doubt, choose neutrals like black, gray, or white. Remember, you will actually be spending a bit more when it comes to having your car seat cover custom made. Still it will be really worth if you are able to come up with the best possible car seat cover for your car.

Car seat covers have many benefits and are practical as well as nice to look at. No more sticking or burning on your hot vinyl seats, or the fear of unsightly stains appearing on your upholstery. Besides protecting your car’s seats from the sun and general wear and tear, you can wash them in the washing machine when they become dirty.

Car seat covers are available in a wide range of styles and fabrics, from warm and woolly to cool and comfy. Styles are available for bucket seats, as well as the back seat of your car or SUV. It is not difficult to find car seat covers which will suit all of your needs.

If you have kids who create a mess in your car, there are novelty car seat covers available in many colorful designs. For newborn babies, baby car seat covers are almost a necessity. Baby car seat covers are designed to fit over the original manufacturer’s cover, providing even more support for your baby.

If you take your pet with you in your car, there are dog car seat covers which protect your car seats from dog-related problems. A shedding pet will change the appearance of your car seats forever, so using seat covers in this situation would be a must.

Car seat covers come in two main types: Universal, and Custom.

Universal car seat covers: These come in one standard size to fit most vehicle makes and models. The disadvantage of these is that they do not always provide a perfect fit.

Custom car seat covers: The great thing about custom car seat covers is that they are designed to fit every popular model of car, van or truck. These provide a much better fit, as they are designed specifically for that particular vehicle.

There are several materials used for car seat covers. These are poly cotton, and sheepskin.

Poly cotton is the most common fabric used for car seat covers. It is soft to the touch, and is also very durable.

Sheepskin car seat covers are also very common next to poly cotton. Sheepskin car seat covers are known to reduce stress, as they provide warmth and massage your back while you drive. They are also cool during hot weather. Sheepskin car seat covers can also be machine washed.

Car seat covers are an excellent way to protect your expensive car seats, or make old seats look like new. Having a set of unique car seat covers is a great way to add some personal touch to the interior of your vehicle, as well as a cost effective method to extend the life of your car’s seats. Car seat covers are a great relief if you are worried about preserving the overall look of your vehicle.

Unfortunately, there are some common mistakes parents make when buying these important safety items. Listed below are some of the most frequently seen mistakes made when buying and installing a car seat.

1.Buying a car seat that is difficult to install – Proper installation is the most important part of buying a good car seat. Inspections of car seats reveal that the majority of car seats are installed improperly. Car seats that come with incomplete or poorly worded instructions, or those that are overly complicated to install, can be dangerous.

2.Buying a car seat that does not properly fit your vehicle. Most car seats are designed to fit most models of newer cars, but owners of older or more exotic cars may have problems fitting car seats properly. If you are unsure if the seat you chose will fit your car, be sure to check with the auto dealer.

3.Not looking for the seal of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. Parents should only buy car seats that meet or exceed this federal standard.

4.Buying a car seat that is too small for your baby – All car seats carry a maximum height and weight rating. Be sure to buy a car seat that provide room to grow.

5.Choosing a car seat that is not compatible with your car’s seat belt. Not all car seats are compatible with all styles of seat belts. If you are unsure what type of car seat you need, be sure to consult with the manufacturer.

6.Not ensuring that the car seat fits the baby properly. Particularly with larger car seats, a small baby could accidentally slip out of the seat. It is important that infants one year of age and younger ride only in a rear facing car seat. Only after the baby is older than one year and weighs between 20 or 40 pounds should he or she be switched to a front facing seat.

7.Not checking for safety recalls. There are a number of safety recalls on car seats every year, and it is important to check for recalls on the model car seat you are considering.

8.Not choosing the fabric carefully – It is important to choose a fabric that is machine washable. In addition, a cloth upholstered seat is often more comfortable for the baby.

9.Not buying a car seat as part of a travel system – It is possible to buy a car seat that is part of a three part travel system. That means that the car seat, infant carrier and stroller are all integrated into one handy unit. This combination is often a more convenient and cost effective solution than buying the items separately.

10.Buying a car seat that is poorly made – Poor construction may be the biggest problem with some car seats. Be sure to check the quality of the car seat, watching especially for any sharp edges or loose parts.

When my children were younger we didn’t have the option of buying one car seat and having it last for years. We had to buy the rear facing infant car seat, then the front facing toddler car seat, and finally, just when we thought we were out of car seats, we had to purchase the dreaded booster seat!

When I was told that my sister-in-law would be arriving by plane with her two boys to spend a month with us, I said to my husband, “I know we can borrow a car seat from our neighbor, but we will need another car seat. After all, we’re not going to be sticking around the house all month.” Little did I know at the time that she’d be dragging two car seats from California to South Dakota.

At any rate, a week after the boys arrived, my brand new Radian 80® convertible car seat arrived and I couldn’t be happier. You see, one of the twins has actually sprouted and his car seat was just too tight and uncomfortable.

So I opened the box and sat dumb-found as I stared at the countless straps, the instruction booklet and the extras. “I’m not mechanically inclined for something like this,” I told my husband.

He looked at me, opened up the instruction booklet and laughed. “Seriously, Alyice. It’s really easy to install and use. But I’m not so sure about carrying this thing on my back. Look there’s no cushion and it’s heavy.” And with that, he had strapped the car seat onto his back, like a backpack, and began walking around the room. “Hey, this isn’t half bad! Nothing is poking me in the back. This could really work when changing flights in an airport.”

“Okay Mr. Smarty Pants, let’s go install this thing in our Uplander,” I laughed.

And with that, we effortlessly installed the car seat and put my now sprouted nephew into the car seat for a test run. Our thoughts were to let the boys take turns using the car seat but once he took that test run there was absolutely no turning back to the old car seat. He was in heaven!

There are many things I like about the Radian 80®–all of which were pleasant surprises.

First, you have four options for carrying the Radian 80®: a small red strap at the base of the seat, a plastic handle on the side of the car seat, the long shoulder strap, and of course the best feature of all, the two shoulder straps work together like a back pack. For many this might seem like the most trivial part of the car seat, but for me it’s an important aspect because trying to get car seat, diaper bag, and child into the car at one time can often be a struggle—especially when you only have one car to work with and two adults who use it or need to alter between two vehicles. Now, all I have to do is put the car seat on my back, place the diaper bag over my shoulder, and grab the kid—no more trying to juggle it all in one trip or making two trips.

Second, there is a detachable base that helps keep the car seat in proper rear facing position, thus securing the infant into place. I like the idea of this feature being detachable because when guests visits, I can easily adjust the car seat to fit the age and weight of each child.

Third, the forward facing latch installation system can be easily adjusted to fit a variety of cars—which is a good thing considering we own three cars and often vary use depending on where we are going or how many people are going with us.

Fourth, the car seat as a feature that helps further secure the seat to the car. It’s called a “Top Tether”. Basically, it means that there is a strap at the top of the car seat that can attach to a specific part of the car and help maintain stability of the car seat.

Sixth, the harness buckle system can be altered according to the height and weight of the child. I really like this feature because it means that the child is properly secured at all times. I hate to put a child into a car seat only to pad it with blankets because the straps are too loose—that’s not safe. And I definitely hate the idea of worrying that I’ll pinch the skin because the straps are too tight.

Seventh, there is a locking clip that helps secure the lap-shoulder seat belt. This is a great feature because it prevents the lap belt from becoming loose over time, thus making sure the car seat is tight and secure at all times.

Eighth, the car seat is so compact and sturdy that it’s been tested and approved to be used on an aircraft which is a good thing since my sister-in-law is considering buying two before she returns home. (See company photo I was able to acquire of the car seat in use on an aircraft!)

And finally, the car seat comes with support cushions to help support infants and toddlers, a plastic harness clip, and two metal restraint buckles. The five point harness system is also important to note because it keeps children snug and prevents them from wiggling out of the car seat while protecting them during impact.

I know I’ve gone on and on with this review, but I really do like the Radian 80®.

To learn more about the Radian 80® visit http://skjp.com

If your baby is less than a year old, he or she must ride in a rear-facing car seat.

One choice is to buy a rear-facing infant car seat (suitable for babies up to 20lbs), that will fit your baby snugly during the first few months and often comes with a handle for easy carrying. And, if you’re looking for the utmost in convenience, select a travel system. Infant travel systems include a ready made car seat and stroller combination.

The downside to the infant car seat is that you’ll spend $60 to $150 on the seat and your child will outgrow it in 6 months to a year. You’ll have to upgrade to a convertible car seat once your baby reaches 20 lbs. If this is a concern for you, you can buy a convertible car seat that will face the rear for your newborn and can turn around to face the front for your baby once he or she reaches 20 lbs.

However, some parents feel that their newborn is “swimming” in a convertible car seat and prefer to use an infant car seat until their baby gets big enough to sit in a front-facing car seat.

No matter what you decide to use for your infant, you’ll eventually need a convertible car seat.

Regardless of the choice you make as to whether to use a convertible car seat from day one or use an infant car seat until your baby weighs 20 lbs, you’ll need to buy a convertible car seat at some point. Convertible car seats are larger than infant-only car seats and are designed to grow with your child through the toddler years. Most convertible car seats fit babies up to 40 lbs (usually around age 4) and some convert to a booster car seat and are safe for children up to 80 lbs.

Convertible car seats range in price from $80 to $300.

For toddlers weighing more than 40 lbs and big kids, you’ll need a booster car seat.

Booster car seats are designed for children age 3 or older who weigh at least 40 lbs. They are designed to use your car’s lap and shoulder seat belts. They literally boost your child into a position that makes it safe to use the car’s seat belt system.

Booster car seats are essential to your child’s safety because using your car’s seat belts on a child without a booster seat can actually cause injury. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that children who’ve outgrown their convertible car seats use a booster car seat until they are 8 years old and 4 feet 9 inches tall.

Some booster seats provide back support and you should choose one of these options if your vehicle seat is low or has no head restraint. A backless option is fine for vehicle seats that offer plenty of support behind the head.

Booster car seats range in price from $60 to $200.

It all started because my twin nephews were coming for a month long visit from California and while here, one of them had a growth spurt which meant a new car seat. Luckily, I was fortunate enough to get the Radian80 by Sunshine Kids Juvenile Products (http://skjp.com).

At first, the Radian80 car seat was going home with my sister-in-law but the more I thought about the video I watched, and the more I read about the naivety of others concerning car seats, the more my sister-in-law and I realized that keeping the car seat for times when I babysat kids of relatives and friends was a good idea—that way, I’d be a responsible sitter.

Gung ho over the Radian80 car seat, I decided to write a review on it over at our blog (http://thedabblingmum.blogspot.com/2007/06/review-radian-80-car-seat.html). Several months later, that review is still the most popular post on my blog.

Suffice to say, the Radian80 car seat receives a hearty recommendation from me. It grows with your child, the straps are adjustable, it’s passed crash tests, and it can even go on an airplane. And my nephew, well let me just say that once we got him into that car seat he would not go back to his old car seat. In fact, if we attempted to put him into the old car seat, he freaked out. After a week of using the Radian80 car seat, my sister-in-law called home and suggested that her husband pick up two new car seats before she returned.

Now, I’m making a few posts about the car seat on various blogs and forums, all the while promoting my parenting magazine—I know shameless plug! But in an ironic way, it’s a good thing because it is getting me back in touch with my audience—parents!

At any rate, if you are serious about protecting your children while in your car may I make a few suggestions?

1. Before purchasing a new car seat, find out if it has been recalled due to safety issues. You can do that by checking out the following links: http://www.cpsc.gov/ and http://www.carseat.org/Recalls/recall.shtml (And don’t forget to check to see if your car’s seatbelt may be defected. http://www.seatbeltdefects.com)

2. When you don’t know which car seat to pick, visit forums (like http://car-seat.org/) where parents are discussing such issues. Knowing what other parents think, what experiences they’ve had, and why they decided the way they did could help you make an informed decision.

3. Understand how car seats are supposed to work and be installed. When in doubt, read your instruction manual, visit sites like Keep Kids Healthy (http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/WELCOME/safety/car_seats_safety or http://www.lpch.org/forPatientsVisitors/CommunityResources/fittingStation.html), visit car seat inspection stations (http://www.seatcheck.org/), or visit your local police station—they often have programs to help make sure your children are properly restrained.

4. Always make sure the car seat you purchase fits properly in your vehicle.

5. Always make sure the car seat you purchase fits the height and weight of your child.

6. When the straps on your child’s car seat become too snug, or your child has difficulty sitting in his/her car seat comfortably, don’t wait. Get out there and buy a car seat that fits your child! Take the Safety Belt Fit test (http://www.usa.safekids.org/CPSWeek2006/documents/safety-belt-test.pdf),

7. If the seatbelts in your car are not working properly, take your car in and have them fixed—they could truly mean the difference between life and death.

8. Whenever possible place your child’s car seat in the middle of your back seat—away from either side of the vehicle.

9. Make sure your child is in the rear facing position and at a 45 degree recline if he/she is under one year old. And always place rear facing car seats in the back seat—away from air bags.

10. Never buy a car seat based solely on affordability—especially if it’s used.

11. Throw away any car seat that has been in a motor vehicle accident!

12. Once the car seat is positioned and belted, wiggle it around to make sure the car seat belt is holding the car seat in place. In other words, the car seat isn’t loose.

In the end, your child is only as safe as the precautions you take.