Even short car rides pose risks if your children aren't properly secured. Car seats are important safety gear that can save your child's life during a crash, and in the Philippines, the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act requires car seats for all children aged 12 and under who are shorter than 4’11.
Car seats are designed to absorb crash forces and protect children. Studies show that car seats greatly reduce the risk of babies and toddlers getting seriously injured. As parents, it's important to understand how to use and install car seats correctly, following key car seat safety guidelines.
Choosing the Right Car Seat for Your Child
Picking the right car seat depends a lot on your child's age, weight, and height. There are generally three main types of car seats:
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Newborn Car Seats
These face the back of the car. They're best for newborns up to about one year old, or until they reach the seat's weight and height limits.
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Convertible Car Seats
You can use them rear-facing for babies and then switch them to forward-facing as your toddler grows. They last longer because they grow with your child.
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Booster Seats
These are for kids usually four years and older, or generally weighing 15 to 36 kg (and meeting certain height requirements, often around 4'9" or 145 cm). Booster seats lift your child up so the car's regular seat belt fits them correctly across their shoulder and lap.
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Travel System
A travel system is a convenient and practical solution for parents on the go. What makes it worth investing in is that you get both a stroller and a car seat at the same time. The integrated design ensures that the car seat easily snaps into the stroller, making it extremely user-friendly, especially in busy or crowded environments.
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Related: Parents’ Guide: Baby Car Seats Explained
Tips for Choosing the Right Car Seat
Selecting the perfect car seat is crucial for your child's safety and comfort. Keep these essential tips in mind when making your choice:
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Prioritize Safety Standards: Look for car seats certified under recognized standards such as ECE 44/04 or R129 (i-Size) in Europe, or FMVSS 123 in the U.S.
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Understand Weight and Height Limits: Always verify that the car seat's label clearly indicates the appropriate weight and height limits for your child.
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Side Impact Protection: Look for features like deep head wings, energy-absorbing foam, or reinforced frames to protect your child in the event of a side-impact collision.
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5-Point Harness: A 5-point harness with straps at the shoulders, hips, and crotch keeps your child securely in place during sharp turns or sudden braking.
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Rear-Facing or 360-Degree Feature: For the best protection of your baby's delicate neck, choose a rear-facing car seat, preferably one with a 360-degree swivel feature for easy access.
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Convertible All-in-One Design: Consider a convertible or all-in-one car seat that can transition from rear-facing to forward-facing and eventually to a booster seat, growing with your child.
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Adjustable Recline: A recline angle of 30 to 45 degrees helps prevent suffocation risks in newborns by keeping the airway open.
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Breathable Fabric: During prolonged car rides, breathable fabric can significantly enhance your baby's comfort by preventing overheating.
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Ensure a Secure and Easy Fit in Your Car: Before purchasing, try installing the car seat in your vehicle to ensure it fits snugly and stably. Check if your car is compatible with ISOFIX for easier installation, or learn seat belt installation if an ISOFIX hook isn't available.
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Check the Expiration Date: Car seats have a limited lifespan. Always purchase a new car seat that has a long remaining expiration period to ensure its structural integrity and safety over time.
Understanding Safety Certifications
When you're buying a car seat, make sure it's safe and allowed by law! If it's made locally, it should have a PS Mark. This means it has passed safety tests. If it's from another country, it needs an ICC sticker. Always look for the PS or ICC sticker on the box or on the seat itself.
It's much safer to buy from trusted stores like Baby Company for certified, good-quality car seats. You can explore Baby Company's e-catalogue to browse a wide selection of car seat offers and find the perfect fit for your needs.
How To Install a Baby Car Seat
For ISOFIX Installation:
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ISOFIX is a global standard for easily and safely installing car seats using metal hooks instead of seat belts. Find the ISOFIX anchors in your car (they're usually hidden in the gap between the backrest and the seat cushion).
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Line up the car seat's ISOFIX connectors with your car's anchors and click them firmly into place until you hear a "click" and/or see a green light.
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Use the top tether (if your car seat has one) by attaching it to the anchor point in your car's trunk area. Or, use the support leg firmly on the floor for extra stability.
For Seat Belt Installation:
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Place the car seat in the back seat of your car.
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Thread your car's seat belt through the correct path on the car seat.
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Buckle and lock the seat belt (your car's manual will show you how to lock it, like by pulling the belt all the way out until it clicks, then letting it retract).
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Push down firmly on the car seat while tightening the seat belt. The seat should move less than one inch from side to side or front to back where the belt goes through. Make sure the harness is snug, and if your car seat has a car seat safety clip (chest clip), place it correctly at armpit level.
Related: Car Seat Safety: Common Mistakes in Installing a Car Seat
Key Takeaway
Keeping your child safe in the car is incredibly important, not just because it's the law! Getting a good car seat and putting it in correctly can truly save your child's life. With Republic Act 11229 in full effect, it's the perfect time to make sure your family's car rides are as safe as they can be.
Baby Company really cares about keeping your kids safe. We offer a wide range of car seats, plus other travel essentials for every budget. Check out all our child car seats at Baby Company today and make your kid's rides safer. Browse our collection online or visit a Baby Company store near you for the best baby car seat selection!