How to choose a car seat

Are you expecting? Congratulations! Having a little one can be exciting yet stressful. There are many important decisions to make, including choosing the right child car seat. Whether you have an infant or a toddler, a car seat is one of the most important purchases you’ll make.

As any new parent knows, shopping for car seats can be a nightmare if you don’t know what you’re looking for. With so many car seats and car seat accessories to choose from, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Some are universal, while others only fit on certain car seats. You probably wouldn’t even think of your infant seat having to be compatible with your stroller.

However, finding a child car seat shouldn’t have to be a stressful experience. Luckily, we have done our research and are here to help you find the right car seat for your little one. It’s time to buckle your seat belt and get ready to find a car seat that suits your needs.

Why you need the right child car seat

In Canada, having a car seat is the law. It’s essential to keep your child safe while travelling in a vehicle. A car seat or restraint system offers proven life-saving and injury-reducing benefits when installed correctly. Car seats are an effective way to prevent children from falling out of the seat, reducing the severity of injury and increasing the chances of survival following an accident.

What to look for when shopping for car seats

Booster seats, convertible car seats, and rear-facing car seats — where do you start? If you’re a new parent, the number of options can be overwhelming, but it’s important to note not all car seats work for every child. You have to do your research by reading labels, checking compatibility in your vehicle owner’s manual and looking at car seat reviews from non-biased sources. Provincial and government sites are great resources, and so is our blog post on how to install car seats. When shopping for child car seats, you should follow these guidelines:

• Choose a car seat that’s been tested and approved.
• Pick a car seat that’s the right size for your child’s age and height.
• Ensure the car seat is easy to install and secure.
• Find a car seat you think will keep your child safe.
• If you are considering purchasing a second hand car seat, visit the Government of Canada’s guide to second-hand car seat safety.

Types of car seats

There are many types of car seats available, but only one is right for your child. Canadian regulations help dictate the right car seat for your child. Following the rules will keep everyone safe on a long-distance drive. Let’s discuss each type of car seat available and their uses:

Infant car seat

This is the first car seat you’ll install in the back seat. You should have one installed in your car before you have your baby. It will save you the extra stress when you take your little bundle of joy home. Here's what you should know about infant car seat:

• Infant car seats are the first ones new parents use. This rear-facing car seat has a base that can be attached and later removed.
• The car seat is ideal for newborns and smaller babies. The majority can hold children between four and 30 lbs.
• The crown of your child’s head has to be lower than the top of the carrier shell of the car seat. If the child’s head exceeds the height limits, they are too tall.

Convertible car seats

Whether you prefer rear-facing or forward-facing seats, this car seat does it all. Its multi-purpose nature is what attracts most buyers. You can purchase a convertible seat once your child outgrows their infant seat. It can be installed rear-facing or front-facing. This child car seat is equipped with harness straps. Additionally, there are higher weight limits, which let your child ride rear-facing a bit longer. If your child is less than a year old and weighs less than 20 lbs, the car seat has to be rear-facing. Convertible seats can be used for rear-facing up to 50 lbs and forward-facing for toddlers up to 65 lbs.

Booster seats

As your child grows up, you need to ensure a seat belt fits safely around their body. A booster seat is for when your child outgrows their first car seat. Read on to learn more:

• When your little one outgrows the weight or height limit of a forward-facing seat harness, you can start using a booster seat and seat belt.
• Booster seats raise children up and let the seat belt fit correctly over the sternum and high across the upper arms instead of across the abdomen. The styles are high-back and backless.
• Backless variations are portable and easy to install. However, high-back models are recommended since they better position the shoulder belt and provide side-impact protection. It’s also more comfortable for children to rest their heads against.

All-in-one car seats

If you want to save money, consider buying one of these car seats. It’s made to last for multiple car stages. Here's what to consider if you're thinking about an all-in-one car seat:

• These car seats offer great value in the sense that they last from birth to booster seats. Despite looking like a greater way to save money, these child car seats sometimes compromise on features to cut costs.
• All-in-one car seats work for children between 4 and 50 lbs. while sitting rear-facing, kids from 20 to 65 lbs sitting forward-facing in a harness, and kids from 30 to 120 lbs sitting in booster mode.

Toddler booster seats

Ensure your child is properly secured in this booster seat. It’s ideal for young children just starting to grow up. Reasons to consider a toddler Booster Seat:

• These child car seats should only be used by children who are the appropriate weight, age, and height limits while sitting facing forward.
• They are designed to be forward-facing only and have a harness that works up to a certain height and weight. Once your child transitions to a booster seat and surpasses the height and weight requirements, you can remove the harness.
• These child car seats are for children weighing between 20 lbs and 90 lbs harnessed and between 30 and 120 lbs in booster modes.

Remember to check the weight restrictions on your model of booster seat. Each brand and model is different.

Knowing when to upgrade your child’s car seat

As your child grows up, you will have to find the right car seat more than once. There are several steps before your child can be on the vehicle seat with a seat belt of their own. Here are some tips you should keep in mind when switching out child car seats:

• Your baby should remain in a rear-facing car seat until at least two years old or until they outgrow the height or weight limit. Moving your child to a rear-facing car seat by their first birthday provides increased head protection.
• A booster seat is required until your child reaches 57 inches of height and is between 8 and 12 years old. Ensure the car correctly fits in your vehicle.
• If the car seat gets damaged in an accident, you should replace it right away.
• Even if your child can sit in the vehicle seat with their own seat belt, they should remain in the backseat until age 13.
• Even a correctly installed car seat shouldn’t be used past its expiry date. The expiry date is on the manufacturer’s label or another part of the seat. Look at the production date. Some car seats expire after a certain amount of time, while others have a date listed.

Ensuring car seat safety

Not all car seats fit in all vehicles, and not all child car seats offer the same level of safety. That’s why you create a safety checklist to ensure your child’s safety while driving. Car seat safety checklist:

• Check the car seat’s height and weight limits. Age also plays a role because it reflects your child’s skeletal development.
• Be sure to install the car or booster seat correctly.
• Once you install the car seat, it shouldn’t move more than an inch from side to side or front to back.
• During a rear-facing installation, the harness straps are at or below your baby’s shoulders. In terms of forward-facing car seats, harness straps should be at or above your little one’s shoulders. The chest clip should sit at armpit level.
• If your child is secured properly, you shouldn’t be able to pinch any fabric on the straps at your child’s shoulders.
• Ensure your car is clutter-free.
• Recline right and tether tight. Check the recline angle for rear-facing car seats (most have an indicator) to prevent your child’s head from falling forward and obstructing breathing.
• Always attach and tighten the top tether to prevent forward movement and head injury when installing a forward-facing seat.

Be cautious when using a pre-owned child car seat or booster seat

A used child car seat is an economical option. However, before you purchase one, you should proceed with caution. Always check Alberta car seat laws or the regulations in your province to buy the best car seat for your child. To have the safest car seat possible, you should review these tips:

• Avoid using a car without a National Safety mark.
• Never use a child car seat that was involved in a collision.
• See if the child car seat is on the recalls/notices list. You can verify this by contacting the manufacturer directly.
• Review the user’s manual. Ensure there are no missing parts, and if there are, order them. You shouldn’t use a forward-facing seat or rear-facing seat until the missing parts are replaced.
• Make sure you can open and close the buckle — it should latch and unlatch.
• Ensure you can loosen and tighten the harness, and avoid using a child car seat if it is missing, frayed, torn, or discoloured.
• Check to see if the chest clip opens and closes, and never use a seat with a broken or missing chest clip.
• Check the expiry date on the car seat you are purchasing. You can find it on the manufacturer’s tag or in the manual in most cases. Car seats typically have a six-year expiration date.

When you should get rid of a car seat

Regardless of if you’re using a rear or forward-facing seat, your child is bound to outgrow it at some point. That’s when you should get rid of your current child seat and either move your kid to the next stage or onto the vehicle seat.

The best way to protect your child is to gradually transition them from stage to stage until they can safely ride in the back seat. Having a seat that fits properly can prevent safety issues in the event of an accident. You should replace your child's car seat or booster if:

• The car was involved in an accident, and even if the seat was empty or didn’t get hit, it doesn’t mean there isn’t any damage.
• You notice the shell is cracked or the webbing is frayed, torn or discoloured.

If you’re unsure about how to dispose of the car seat, reach out to the manufacturer. After safely disposing of the previous seat, you can find a new child car seat that provides the best protection for your little one.

Protect your family with the right insurance coverage

No matter what type of child car seat you have, you need car insurance. BrokerLink brokers are your go-to car insurance brokers for all your needs. Follow our advice, and your little one will remain safe in the back seat. There are many coverage options available, including the following:

• Third-party liability coverage
• Accident benefits coverage
• Direct compensation - property damage coverage
• Uninsured automobile coverage
• Collision coverage
• Comprehensive coverage
• Accident forgiveness coverage

Reaching out to a BrokerLink broker is a great way to ensure you have the right family car insurance. An experienced broker can take the time to understand your needs and provide you with options for the best insurance protection.

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