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Advertorial: From Capsule to Carseat
FROM CAPSULE TO CARSEAT
Kia ora everyone - Welcome to parenthood! We are Treasured Cargo, Palmy’s Car Seat safety experts.
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Sadly over 80% of carseats are being used incorrectly. That is a frightening statistic! We are here to make sure you have the safest seat for your child and that you’re using it properly. We believe that informed parents = safer kids. Here is some info for when you’re moving up from the capsule. Your next seat will be a convertible seat (rear faces then goes forward facing) Research rear facing. This is the safest way for children to travel. Ideally our babies are all rear facing to 4yrs old. If you can get to 5yrs, even better! That said, not all seats here in NZ will last that long. You’ll want a seat that will rear face to AT LEAST 18kgs or 30 months (more on that later). Some seats will rear face to 22kgs and sadly some only go to 10kgs. It’s really important to read the specifications and weight limits BEFORE you buy a seat. Please be aware that some seats will advertise birth to 36kgs, BUT they only harness to 18kgs then the child must use the seatbelt booster mode. This can be as young as 3yrs old. Not safe! Alway try a seat in your car before you buy it. Not all seats fit in all cars. Your seat needs to fit your baby, your budget and your car. Here in NZ we have 3 different standards of car seats. The US, European and AUS/NZ standards. They all install slightly differently and have varying limits.
HERE IS A SYNOPSIS OF HOW THEY ARE INSTALLED REAR FACING.
• US Standard seats go by weight and height and will install with Isofix OR seatbelt going under babies legs. They all have a chest clip and will rear face to 18kgs or more. • AUS/NZ seats only go by torso height (no weight or height limits) They will rear face to
6, 12 or 30 months approx (You want the 30 month ones). They install with the seatbelt under babies legs and they must use the top tether at all times. That is a strap that goes from the top of the seat and into an anchor point in the back of your car. It is a movable strap so is easy enough to get baby in and out. • EU seats will install with either a fixed Isofix
OR a long 3 point seatbelt. The seatbelt must be very long and goes under and around the back of the seat and can not be moved. This can be very tricky to get correct and difficult to use as the seatbelt is across the door. Also these seats only have a max harness limit of 18kgs. • They also do the rotating seats, which install with a fixed Isofix. This means it might be too upright for your baby and there is no way to adjust the angle. They also only go to 18kgs so are often outgrown much earlier than other seats. There are so many seats to choose from and we understand it can be VERY overwhelming. We are here to help you. PLEASE contact us to try seats, get advice, or just to make sure your seat is being used correctly.
CHECKLIST
• Your seat is safe and appropriate for your child’s age. • Your seat is installed correctly and solidly. Read your manual to fully to understand it. • Child’s harness is snug on their bodies. A loose harness is dangerous. Check that it’s snug on hips and shoulders. We have a selection of great seats here that we can try in your car before you purchase. We will install it correctly, try baby in, and make sure you can fit comfortably in the front seats. Everyone’s safety is important to us.
