Just about everyone has a car, or access to one. It's easily the most used form of transportation nowadays, as there are billions of cars around the world. Logically, we would need to transport our kids in our own motorcar to school, kindergarten, to the store or to visit acquaintances. Seat belts are physically unsafe for children, so we need to rely on car seats to make certain our kids are correctly protected.
The car seat safety rating is given out by the NHTSA (National Health and Traffic Safety Association). The motorcar seat safety rating is called the Child Safety Seat Ease of Use Rating by the NHTSA, and it's without doubt the best guideline to work from when looking to purchase a child seat. Each seat is tested by five different criteria: assembly, rating of instructions, testing of labels, installing features and securing the child. A total score is set from those criteria, and that's the official NHTSA safety rating.
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The first thing to look at is whether or not the seat has been recalled for manufacturing defects or didn't live up to its rating. Just like automobiles, some car seats have unintended problems after their manufacture that only become apparent once it's in the mass market. A good safety rating means very little if there's a problem with its construction. Search the internet for any references of recalls on a seat that you are interested in before buying it. Even the NHTSA rating is secondary when compared to recalls.
The other thing to consider is other user's reactions to and reviews with car seats. A seat with a great NHTSA car seat safety rating was a great idea, but what if it wasn't beneficial for your exact needs? If it isn't really easy to move in between cars, and you have a couple cars, then it isn't appropriate to your exact needs. Search for as many reviews or experiences as possible, to find out if that particular seat is suited to you.
Ease of use and weight are two very important aspects of a automobile seat to consider. Even if it has a perfect car seat safety rating, if you can't pick it up and move it, then what use is it to you? If you are a stay at home mom, how can you manage a 20 pound plus auto seat? You could look at getting a smaller, lighter one so you can easily use it. If you want to use a car seat as a carrier too, like some people do, weight becomes greatly important.
The last thing to consider is the cost. Choosing a seat with a high car seat safety rating is imperative because you are investing in your kid's safety. Never pay for low or untested quality. Your child's life is irreplaceable.
Investing in a seat with a good rating is vital to the safety of your children in this modern age where more and more automobiles are on the road. In the unlikely event of an accident, you want to be positive your child will come with little more than a scratch or some bruising.