Most parents understand the necessity of car seats but it's important to choose the right kind of seat for your child and make sure they are properly seated in it. Even the best car seat is useless if it's not used correctly.

Two kinds of safety seats are made for babies: a small, lightweight 'infant-only' seat designed for rear-facing use only. This kind should be used as long as the baby’s head is enclosed by the top rim of the seat. These are generally designed with a weight limit of 17-22 pounds.

The other is a larger 'convertible' seat which usually fits children from birth to about 40 pounds. Convertible models are ideal for babies who are growing at a faster rate than the average for their age.

Buying a baby seat? Keep it simple!
Choose a model that's straightforward to use and fits into your car without hassle. Before buying a seat, try it in your car and make sure it buckles up easily and safely. If you are choosing a convertible model, try it facing rearward and forward.

You may save some money if you buy a convertible model straight away, as most children will outgrow their infant-only seats before their first birthday. On the other hand, an infant-only seat is designed especially for newborn babies and may fit your baby better. It is also extremely practical, portable and can easily be used at home.

Laid back
Infants are safest when riding facing the rear because the back of the safety seat supports the child's back, neck and head. Whichever seat you choose, your baby should ride rear-facing until about 12 months old and at least 20 pounds.

It is also important for an infant to ride sitting semi-reclined, 45 degrees from horizontal. With safety seats that are too upright for new babies who can't hold up their heads, put a tightly-rolled bath towel under the front edge of the seat so the head lies back comfortable. Make sure the seat does not recline back too far.

Strapping infants
Use the lowest harness slots for your baby and make sure the straps are kept below the baby's shoulders for the rear-facing position. It's very important for harness straps to fit properly over the shoulders and between the legs, so maker sure your baby wears clothes that keep his or her legs free during the journey.

Make sure you buckle the harness first before covering a baby with a blanket. To fill up empty spaces in the car seat for support, roll up a couple of blankets and tuck them in on each side of your baby's shoulders and heads. Do not use any padding underneath or behind the baby.

• Placing an infant seat in the path of an airbag
  
  
• Having harness straps too loose or in the wrong position
  
  
• Having a harness chest clip in the wrong position
  
  
• Not locking the seat belt properly with a locking clip, seat belt retractor or locking latchplate
  
  
• Not securing the car seat correctly, either by using the wrong seat belt path or not making the seat belts tight enough
  
  

Do not use a car seat that...

• Has been recalled
  
  
• Was involved in a crash
  
  
• Is more than 10 years old
  
  
• Doesn’t have a label with the date it was manufactured and the seat name or model number
  
  
• Doesn’t have instructions
  
  
• Is missing parts or has cracks in the frame

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