What seat to buy - a buyers guide
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Buying your child's car seat can be tricky, there are so many on the market, and they all serve different needs. It is important to buy a car seat that correctly fits your child. Their size, age and weight are all important factors when buying a car seat for your child. This page will highlight some of the important factors you should look for when buying your child's next car seat. |
When buying a car seat for your child it is important to remember your child's individual size, weight and mental maturity before diving in and buying the cheapest or prettiest car seat. Not all car seats will fit in all cars, so it is recommended that you try the seat for fit in your car before purchasing.
Ideally your car seat should be purchased new from a reputatble store so that it meets current standards, has all the factory standard parts and it comes with some sort of warranty on parts and function. If you are buying a secondhand seat it is vital that you know the history of the seat to ensure that it has not been involved in an accident and that all the essential parts are present, such as the instruction manual.
Quick tips
- Check the manufacture date of the seat that you are buying. Where possible ask for a seat in a sealed box, or one that is from out the back of the store, rather than one that is off the shelf that may have been dropped or have missing parts.
- Ask to try the seat out in your car before installing so you know wether or not the seat will fit snuggly, or an alternative model may be needed.
- Think about your child's individual needs before buying any old car seat for them. Taller children will need taller backs, as heavier children will need higher harnessing limits and so on.
- Find out where you can get tether bolts installed in your area, even if your car seat does not come with a tether strap, you may need it some time in the 7 or so years that your child is in a car seat/booster seat.
What is..?
A capsule
A capsule is a rear facing "bucket" like seat for new babys to around 6+ months. They feature a carry handle and a rockingt base. They can be attached to stroller frames and bases in cars for easy transport. Some seats allow infants to use them to 13kgs (aprox. 12 months).
A convertible car seat
A convertible car seat is one that can be installed in the car both rear and forward facing depending on how heavy the child is. They are designed to be left in the car rather than being carried about outside of the car. They are often more time consuming to install but offer best value for money and duration of use, as they can be used from birth to around 4 years of age.
A forward facing car seat
Much like the seat above, the forward facing seat is designed to be left in the car rather than being carried around. However they are not designed for children from birth and should only be used once the capsule is out grown, this is from around 6 months on, ideally 12 months or more.
A booster seat
A booster is a seat that boosts a preschooler or older child up so they can see out of the window, and it allows the seat belt to sit nicely over their body so not to cut into their neck or push into their lower abdomen as the belts rest low down over the child's thighs. They do not come with an in-built harness of any sort as they use the seat belt or an additional child safety harness.
A combined booster seat?
A tether strap?
Topics covered include:
Rear facing
Forward facing
Booster seats
Standards
Expiry dates
Common Questions
Rear Facing
When should my child rear face and why?
Capsule V's Convertible car seat
Can the seat touch the vehicle seat in front?
Can I place a rear facing in the front seat?
Forward Facing
When should my child be turned and what is safest?
Booster Seats
Q: My child is now 5, do they need booster still?
A: If your child still fits in a booster seat, they can continue to use it. It is recommended that children continue to use a booster until they reach 148cm tall. This is because a child under this height may not correctly fit the seat belt and will be at greater risk of internal injuries in an accident with a seat belt only.
Q: Can I place my child into a combined booster after the capsule?
A: Combined booster seats are forward facing only seats and often have a low entry weight limit, like 8kgs. It is important to remember that children are safest rear facing to a minimim of 12 months or 12kgs. A combined booster seat is often very large and sit quite upright, so are not ideal for small children straight from a capsule. We recommend using a car seat for your child until the minimum age of 2 years, after which time a combined booster will fit your child better.
Standards
Q: Does my seat meet legal standards for sale and use in New Zealand?
Expiry Dates
What about expiry dates?
Common Questions
Q: Should I try the seat for fit before buying?
A:
Q:What is the safest car seat?
A: The safest car seat is the one that fits your child and car correctly, and is used correctly every time.
Q: What is a tether strap, why is it so important?
A: