Safety First: How to Select the Best Car Seat for Your Baby
December 31, 2024
With so many options available, choosing a safe and easy-to-handle car seat can be challenging. Whether you're shopping for your bundle of joy on the way or upgrading your child's car seat, identifying the safest options for their weight and height can help you feel confident while you’re on the road.
Before investing in a car seat, review federal regulations and recommendations. These guidelines help make sure that all car seats meet a high safety standard, including proper labeling and crash performance.
Key Features of a Safe Car Seat
When shopping for a car seat, whether online or in person, check that they include all the following features and information:
- Five-point harness strap
- Side-impact protection
- Federally required yellow safety sticker
- Minimum and maximum height requirements
- Make and model number found on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website
- Manufacturer information
- Expiration date
- Manual and registration card
To ensure you're purchasing a legitimate car seat, buy from reputable retailers and check for product recalls using resources like the NHTSA website. Don’t buy seats from unauthorized sellers, as counterfeit products are becoming more common.
“There are a lot of counterfeit car seats popping up,” says Danielle Kearns, neonatal intensive care unit nurse at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. “I came across two on my own in the NICU, and we were able to recognize them and help the family get a safe car seat for their baby.”
Is It Safe to Use a Secondhand Car Seat?
Used car seats may have unknown histories, including accidents or recalls. While saving money by using a secondhand car seat is tempting, investing in or reaching out to local resources for a new one is safer, advises Patricia Bonatakis, pediatric trauma injury prevention coordinator forK. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital pediatric trauma program.
Risk of Counterfeit Car Seats
Counterfeit car seats present a significant safety risk. These illegal products often appear similar to legitimate brands but lack the engineering and testing necessary to ensure safety in a crash.
Unlike authentic car seats that undergo rigorous testing to meet federal safety standards, counterfeits may be made from low-quality materials that may not hold up in a crash. They are often sold at lower prices, making them a tempting purchase.
“It's really difficult to be in that position where you can't afford [an authentic car seat], but I want people to recognize that if they do choose [a counterfeit car seat], the child is in a dangerous position in a crash,” Danielle says.
Tips for How to Properly Use and Install a Car Seat
Before strapping your child into the car seat for the first time, review it for all essential features, including a valid expiration date. Car seats often expire six to seven years after the manufacturing date, as safety features and materials may fail to protect the child after that point.
Proper installation is crucial. Avoid using add-on accessories and placing your child in the seat with excessive clothing, like winter jackets, as safety testing does not account for extra layers.
"We recommend, especially for your first child, to come in person [to get your car seat checked] because there are so many little things, like where the strap should be placed on the baby and where the seat is in the car – a lot of parents don't know this," Patricia says.
For safe use and installation, follow the manufacturer's instructions and consider consulting safety experts or certified technicians who can provide personalized guidance, such as:
- NHTSA
- Local police or fire department
- Jersey Shore University Medical Center's car seat fitting station, which takes place the first Tuesday of every month from 3 to 7 p.m. at the hospital’s Davis Avenue entrance.
Next Steps and Resources
- Make an appointment with a pediatrician near you or call 800-822-8905.
- Learn more about car seat safety fittings at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.
- Learn more about Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health.
The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.
