Installing an infant cat seat correctly is the most important thing when you are taking your baby in your car. Many infants die because of not-correctly installed infant seats. Follow the instructions and the tips given in the article below to prevent any mishaps.
An infant car seat is the first thing that comes into a new-parents mind after getting the baby home. Having a baby is a big responsibility as they are so agile and delicate that even small discomforts can cause them problems. How you carry your child when you travel is one of the most important aspects of a healthy child-upbringing.
Using infant car seats are made compulsory in many countries. An infant car seat is a add-on car seat; it is a restraint and is small in size and has a safety harness attached with it to hold the infant and to restrict its movements. It is said that almost 95% of the times an infant car seat is not installed properly and because of which many infants have died in car accidents.
Infant seats are required because the normal adult seats cannot hold the infants properly and their seat belts are also too baggy for them. Therefore, to ensure an infant’s safety these seats have been made legally compulsory. Choose your infant’s car seat depending on his age, weight and height, so they fit-in well.
Before telling you how to install a car seat I would first describe the different parts on an infant seat; this will make it easier for me explain the procedure to you.
Parts of an Infant Seat
1. Harness Slots
2. Harness Chest Clip
3. Point Harness System
4. Belt Path
5. Harness Release Mechanism
6. Pull Strap
Types of Infant Car Seats
There are two types of infant seats. One is the rear facing Infant seat and the other is a convertible seat. A convertible seat allows you amend the seat size and length as your infant grows. Therefore, you can use that one car seat for a long period.
Installing an Infant Car Seat
1. Placing the Seat
Place the infant seat on the back seat of your car; preferably in the middle seat.
2. Arranging the Backseat
Your backseat should not be angled more than 45 degrees and not less than that either. As if it is kept at 90 degrees then your infants head might bang into it and if it is kept at 30 or 20 degrees then, chances are, that the carrier may slip out.
3. Fixing the Infant Car Seat
To fix the infant car seat, after you have placed it on the middle-backseat, read the manual to know how your infant seat works. Now use the car’s seat-belt and put them in the harness slots given. Insert it from one side, pull it out and then insert it on the other side and pull it down and shut the clip. Apply all the pressure you can on the carrier and pull the shoulder straps tightly. Do that by pressing your knee in the carrier and give in all strength.
4. Check the Tightness
This is the most important point of all. Check the tightness of the infant seat by tugging it. The carrier should not move more than ‘1 inch’. If the carrier moves too much your baby can feel nauseated and also they are so fragile that even a mild jerk can affect them in an intense way.
5. LATCH
LATCH stands for ‘Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children’. This locking system enables you to install your infant car seat with using the vehicle belt and also gives a better fit. All the vehicles manufactured after September 1, 2002 have this system in it by default. However, only choose to use the car belt for installing the infant car seat only if the LATCH system is loose for holding the carrier.
Tips To Follow
- Please read the Infant car seat manual very carefully for different types of carriers can have different fixing styles.
- If your baby has not occupied the entire space in the carrier and is moving a lot, then place soft fabric cloths like towels or shawls and fill the gap. This will prevent your infant from wobbling inside the carrier.
- In case your infant car seat is a rear-facing then, the harness straps need to tied on your infant’s shoulder or a little below it. And if the infant seat is front facing then the harness straps need to be on your infants shoulder or a little above it.
- Do not use second hand or used baby car seats. They are not safe. Please no not take a risk.
- Don’t over use your infants car seat by continuing its use even after the expiry period. An infant car seat can usually be used for about 5-6 years.
Don’t take installing your infants car seat lightly! Find the perfect baby car seat and spare some extra time for installing your infants car seat to assure his safety and live tension free.