How To Buy A Carseat w/ Gail from Coastal CPR

How To Buy A Carseat w/ Gail from Coastal CPR (1 comment)

Posted on on December 9th, 2009 in: Articles, Articles & Guest Blogs, MoM Thoughts, Parenting, Safety Tips.

How to buy a car safety seat.

In my last post I wrote about the different types of car safety seats for children. In this post I’m going to look at how to actually buy a car seat.

Some of us might just go to a local child products store, some of us might do a little research first. I tend to be in the research camp, I like to have idea of what to look for and what to avoid when it comes to safety equipment.

There are several good resources for car seats. My first stop is usually Consumer Reports. Most libraries carry a subscription to Consumer Reports, just ask the Reference Librarian. You can also find reports and reviews online. Another good source is either your local Police or Fire department. Most cities or towns have a member of the Police or Fire Department who is a certified car safety seat inspector. They can let you know what brands of seats would fit best in your type of vehicle. Lastly many store have employees who are knowledgeable on child seats. But keep in mind that not all stores will take the liability of advising you on a purchase or installation of a car safety seat.

When you’re shopping keep in mind that price does not equal safety. Some of the top rated safety seats have not been the most expensive ones, sometimes a discount brand may have a higher safety rating. Keep an open mind. You want to look at reviews that compare crash test safety and well as how easy the seat is to clean.

As you’re comparing the different seats in the store, look at the seat to see when it was built. Car seats have expiration dates! Typically a seat is only good for 5 or 6 years. So if you have several children or are planning to have additional children, please keep in mind that this purchase may not last for multiple children over many years.

Lastly, once you’ve purchased the seat make sure it is installed correctly in your vehicle. Make an appointment for a car seat inspection with your local Police or Fire Department.

Want some additional car seat info? Check out the American Academy of Pediatrics website.

One quick note of caution: Don’t purchase used car seats from anyone you don’t know. You probably will not know the history of the seat. Car seat manufacturers do not recommend using a seat if the vehicle it was in was involved in an accident. You may not know that from a total stranger. We’d all like to believe that everyone is honest, but deep down we also all know that is often not the case.

Gail Klanchesser is a MoM of 4 and the owner of Coastal CPR and First Aid, LLC located on the New Hampshire Seacoast. She regular writes and blogs on CPR, First Aid, and Safety topics as well as her random life with kids. You can follow Gail on her blog, Twitter and Facebook.