Car Seats: Choosing the Best Car Seat (Part 1 of 4)

Over the next couple of weeks, I will have a series of articles on car seats - from Choosing the Best Seat, to an overview of Infant, Convertible, and Booster seats. I hope you find these articles informative and helpful when picking out your child's safety seat. 

When you are expecting a child, one of the most important purchases that you will make is the car seat. If you are anything like me, you will spend hours researching, comparing, and shopping for the perfect seat. The question that I hear most from people car seat shopping is "What is the best seat?" Well, there is no clear answer to that question as every person is different. However, I will tell you that the best seat is the one that fits your child, your car, and your budget. 

When choosing a car seat, it is important that the seat meet some requirements:

• The Seat Must Fit Your Child - Use your child's height, weight, and age to choose the correct type of car seat. Each seat has it's own requirements and it is important that you follow these requirements to keep your child safe. 
• The Seat Must Fit Your Car - There are so many different styles of vehicle seats (buckets, benches, ect) and it is important to note that not all car seats will fit properly in every vehicle. If you are looking for a starting point, check out www.CarSeatData.org to view a compatibility chart. Also, many reputable baby stores will allow you to take a car seat model out to your car to check the fit. 
• The Seat Must Fit Your Budget - Is more expensive better? Not necessarily. If you are buying an infant seat, remember that your child will probably use it for less than one year. Personally, both of my kids had grown out of the infant seat by 5 months. Some are lucky enough to be able to use it for the entire year, but if you have a larger child or one that is especially tall, you will be moving on in a few short months. If you are going to spend a lot of money on a car seat, I would personally hold out and spend that extra money on a Convertible seat. This seat will be used for a few years and your money will be much better invested.

Are Used Seats Safe?

They can be safe, but only if you can get an accurate history of the seat. If you are getting it from a friend and you know they are honest with you, then go for it. However, I would personally steer clear of any used seats on Craigslist or Ebay as you don't know if the seller is being totally honest. Things to look for when buying a used seat:

• Has the seat expired? Yes, believe it or not, car seats do expire. The car seat expiration date can vary depending on the model and manufacturer. A good rule of thumb, if you don't see an expiration date on the seat, is to go with 6 years. Using an expired seat could mean that the seat doesn't satisfy the newest safety features required by the federal government. 
• Has the seat been in an accident? The NHTSA recommends that child safety seats be replaced following a moderate or severe crash in order to ensure a high level of crash protection. In a minor crash, the seat doesn't automatically need to be replaced. However, to be considered a minor crash, ALL of the following criteria must be met: (1) The vehicle was driven away from the site, (2) The vehicle door nearest the safety seat was undamaged, (3) There were no injuries to anyone in the car, (4) The air bags did not deploy, and (5) There is no visible damage to the safety seat. Remember, you don't have to see a huge crack in the seat for it to be considered unsafe. The structure of the seat could be compromised even though it is not visible to the human eye. 
• Does the seller still have the instructions? Each seat is installed differently and it is extremely important to have the original instructions in order to install the seat properly. 
• Has the seat been recalled? You can check to see if a specific seat has been recalled by visiting www.Recalls.gov.

Which is the Safest Seat?

All car seats sold in the U.S. must pass the same federal crash tests. If you are on a budget and can only afford the cheapest car seat on the market, that is ok. It may not have any extra features, but know that the seat has passed all the basic crash tests and, as long as it is installed correctly, is safe for your baby. Many of the more expensive models have extra features such as non-twisting straps, build-in locking clips, and extra head or body support. Although these extra features are nice to have, the most important thing is that your seat is installed correctly. If you are having problems installing your seat or want to have a professional double-check your work, find your closest car seat inspection station. Remember, it is best to have your car seat installed properly before you have your baby. 

Next: I will look at Infant Car Seats. Which have the best ratings? Are you required to get an Infant Car Seat? Find out the answers to these questions and lots more in Part 2 of the Car Seat Buying Guide.