How to Choose Car Seats

Which Baby Car Seats Should I Choose?

Better Safe than Sorry

This is one proverb that definitely rings true when it comes to children’s car seats. Here are some statistics to consider: In the United States, car crashes are the leading cause of death of children between 3 – 14 years old. And what’s worst - the use of car seats could have reduced fatal injury by 71% for infants and by 54% for toddlers aged 1 – 4 years old.

Safety devices in cars are designed and optimized to protect adults, not children – who are lighter and smaller. Lifesaving devices such as seat belts and airbags can be ineffective or worse, dangerous to children in the event of an accident. For the best protection, children under 12 (and/or up to 36kg) should be placed in a car seat. The use of car seats are required by law in most developed countries, as a majority of child fatalities in car crashes occur because the child is not properly restrained.

But looking for a car seat can be daunting, with so many features and models to consider. Let us give you a head start by listing down some key items you should think about: 

A safe and secure fit in your car

It’s no use buying the best car seat if what you’re getting can’t give your child the best protection, so always make sure that the car seat can be properly fitted in your car.

• All Kiddy seats are easy to install, can be removed in seconds and are almost impossible to fit wrongly – making switching between cars effortless.

• Kiddy seats are consistently rated as winners in safety tests performed by consumer test agencies such as Stiftung Warentest (Germany) and Which? (UK)

Governmental approval

Make sure you check that your car seat complies with legislative statutory requirements

• All Kiddy seats are ECE United Nations approved and the label can be found on the back of each model 

Type of car seat

Infants up to 18 months (or up to 13kg) should be placed in a baby carrier as they are not able to sit up on their own but as soon as they are able to, they should be placed in a car seat for maximum safety and comfort

• Car seats are grouped based on children’s weight, as age alone is not an accurate indicator. Never buy a car seat that is too big for your child and make sure that the seat is appropriate for your child’s weight – only a correctly fitted car seat can provide your child with the best level of safety

Kiddy seats group:

Side impact protection

70% of car accidents are side impact crashes so make sure that your car seat comes with side impact protection. The head and shoulder area in children are especially vulnerable, as their head is relatively heavy compared to the rest of their body and their spine is more fragile compared to adults.

• Kiddy uses Honey Comb, a high-performance material to offer the best protection in the event of a side impact. This material works by reducing the force of impact during an accident.

Weight

Not only is a lighter car seat easier to carry around, it is actually safer too should an accident occur, as the emerging mass is significantly lower compared to a heavier seat.

• Kiddy’s Infinity Pro car seat is the lightest in its Group 1 class, weighing in at only 5.1kg 

Weight and  size of your child

Car seats are designed based on weight and size, and as all children are unique, it’s important to regularly check that they’re not too big nor too small for the car seat. It’s also worth having your child test ride the car seat before you buy.

• If you’re looking for a car seat for all ages, then look no further than Kiddy’s Comfort Pro, which is the perfect seat for Groups 1, 2, 3 (ages 9 months – 12 years).

Easy to install

 80% of car seats with 5-point harness are installed incorrectly, thereby increasing the risk of your child’s safety. If you use different cars to transport your child, you may also want to consider a car seat that is light and easy to transport for added convenience.

• Installing a Kiddy seat is child’s play - it only takes 16 seconds to properly fit one in the car. The easy installation significantly reduces the risk of incorrect assembly and so serious consequences are avoided in the event of an accident.

Ease of use

Consider how easy it would be to get your child in and out of the car seat for stress-free car journeys every time.

• The Kiddy Impact Shield is easy to use and doesn’t ‘strap’ your child down unlike a 5-point harness, giving him more upper body freedom. It’s also safer should an accident occur, as the body moves more naturally when secured by the Impact Shield, without the sudden ‘jerk’ of the head so evident with a 5-point harness system in Group 1 seats.

Comfort

Is the car seat covered in soft and breathable materials to make car journeys comfortable? Can the seats be placed in a reclining position for naptime?

• Kiddy uses the breathable Thermotex material to increase air circulation, ensuring a comfortable seating environment - making even long car trips enjoyable.

Avoid used car seats

There are high risks involved in purchasing a second hand car seat, as there is no certainty in knowing how the seat was treated. Bear in mind that damage or wear and tear may not always be visible to the naked eye. Any car seats involved in an accident should be immediately replaced as the safety features could be compromised.

(All statistics quoted from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), USA).

Kiddy products at a glance