Choosing the Right Child Safety Seat Can Be Easy, Says AAA
16 February 1999
Choosing the Right Child Safety Seat Can Be Easy, Says AAA
ORLANDO, Fla.--Feb. 16, 1999--New standards for child safety seats will help ease the frustration of finding and installing the right child safety seat.
But what are parents to do until the new standards are officially adopted? Relax, according to AAA.
"Purchasing a child safety seat doesn't need to be stressful," said Bill Wen, manager of training and professional development, AAA Traffic Safety. "The key is to choose a seat that fits your child, your vehicle and your budget."
According to AAA, more expensive seats aren't necessarily better than low-priced seats. All child safety seats must meet federal safety standards, regardless of price.
AAA offers several key tips for choosing the right child safety seat.
-- Make sure the seat fits your child's weight and height.
-- Try installing a seat in your car before purchasing it. Make sure it fits and can be tightly secured.
-- If your child is old enough, ask him or her to help you select a seat. If children are involved in the purchase decision, they are more likely to enjoy using the seat.
-- Always consult your vehicle owner's manual before purchasing and installing a child safety seat. Most will offer specific instructions and list special equipment needed for proper installation of a child safety seat.
-- Rear facing infant seats should never be installed in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger-side air bag.
AAA also recommends that all children under age 12 ride in the back seat.
"The safest place for a young passenger is in the back seat, properly restrained," said Wen. "Unless there is no alternative, the back is where it's at."
When there is no other alternative but to place a child over the age of one in the front seat, push the vehicle seat all the way back and make sure the child is safely fastened in the proper passenger restraint system.
AAA is a not-for-profit federation of 91 clubs with 1,100 offices providing more than 41 million members in the United States and Canada with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services.