Green Child Magazine Spring 2017 | Page 6

Car Seat Safety Checklist for New Parents

| by Sarah Tilton Director , Consumer Advocacy at Britax Child Safety

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Knowing what to look for when purchasing a car seat – and knowing how to properly install it – can easily become a nerve-wracking process for any new parent . Thankfully , with the right planning and guidance , it doesn ’ t have to be a struggle .
After nearly 20 years studying child passenger safety , I ’ ve had the opportunity to speak with countless parents , safety experts and industry professionals on this very topic . While working at Britax , I have used my knowledge of the space to help the company innovate and design some of the safest products on the market .
For anyone like me , a simple , easy-to-follow checklist can often be the simplest way to navigate important decision-making tasks , such as picking out the right car seat . The following checklists can provide a stress-free way for you to feel confident and in control when it comes to purchasing and installing car seats .
How to Choose the Right Car Seat
Shop early . It ’ s highly recommended parents have their car seats installed by the time they ’ re seven months pregnant , just in case the baby arrives early . Also , this provides parents