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Child Safety Seat Installation |
Best Location for Child Safety Seat Installation
In 2000, when we had our first baby we had to make a decision about where
to place the infant car seat in our car. Obviously, it was on the back seat.
The question was where? In the middle or the side? If on the side then
which side? Behind the driver seat or behind the passenger seat?
What made the decision even more difficult for me was the lack of an
attachment point on the rear window deck to hook the restraining strap
of the infant car seat. We had an older model car (1987 Buick Regal) that
did not have these installed from the factory.
This meant drilling a hole in the rear window deck and installing a bolt and
attachment point. I wanted to get this right the first time so I didn't
end up with a bunch of holes in the back deck.
We decided to install the seat in the middle of the rear seat. And all was well.
Two years later we had our second baby. Now we had to have two
child safety seats in the back - and two attachment points on the rear
deck.
You probably driving a newer vehicle and will not have this problem.
Almost all newer model vehicles come from the factory with attachment points
for child safety seats. You just have a choose where, the side or in the middle
of the rear seat.
Middle is Safest
If you have just one child you can choose any spot on the rear seat.
Child safety seat experts, however, recommend the middle of the rear seat.
I'll go over the reasons why a little later on.
If you have more than one child then you will have to spread them out.
With two children, each side of the rear seat is your only choice.
With a mini van you might have even more choice, you get to choose which
rear seat.
The middle of the rear seat is ideal for a single child for a number of reasons:
- Safety. During a crash the middle of the rear seat is the middle
of the vehicle. This would be the safest place for side impacts, rear impacts
or front impacts. A child safety seat on either side of the rear seat is
more vulnerable to a side impact on that side. If you have two children
you don't have much choice.
- Entertainment. Another benefit of the middle of the rear seat is that your child has a clear
view forward out of the front windshield. They can see what you see. They can also see you.
It also makes it's easier to hand items back and forth to them. This is not so critical
for a baby in an infant car seat, they spend alot of time looking out the back window.
- Protection from SunlightAnother benefit of the middle of the rear seat is
your child is protected a bit better from direct sunlight coming in the side windows.
There is one disadvantage for infant car seats with the middle of the rear seat. It is a bit
awkward for loading and unloading the infant car seat. Unless you have a mini van and then you can
just step in with the car seat. Still, it's the safest location for your baby.
Multiple Safety Seats
It's difficult to place two child safety seats side by side. They are usually
a bit too wide because of the armrests. This cause them to be too far apart
to fit between the seat belts or LATCH points. So, multiple child safety
seats have to be on the sides of the rear seat.
A benefit of placing two child car seats at either side of the rear seat
is there is plenty of space in between them on the rear seat. With two kids
this can quickly be filled with books, toys, tissue boxes or other items
shared by your children.
The extra space between is also a natural buffer zone between your
kids. Reducing tensions and squabbles. And, making driving with children
a little less stressful.
In 2004 we bought a second car, a Subaru Forester. Really, nice car. It
came with attachment points for child car seats. We use it for all family driving.
The kid's car seats are permanently in the Forester, on either side of the rear
seat. We can even squeeze a simple booster seat in between them. I get my Buick all to myself, along with rear deck attachment points.
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