Steps to Becoming A Car Seat Afficionado

As much as we want you to love your vehicle, we also want you to feel safe in it! That feeling of being safe becomes even more imperative when kids become frequent riders, as you are now responsible for someone else’s life whenever you hit the road.

We want to make sure that whether you are bracing for a newborn, or are just re-evaluating your current car seat situation, you are fully prepared.

To help you out, we have a quick run-down of NJ Child Safety laws, the highest rated car seats for all ages, and also, the family-friendly vehicles you should be considering!

 

It’s the law- what you need to know:

Before looking at car seats, you need to know what rules to play by. Car seats can get quite expensive, so you don’t want to end up with the wrong one. First, you have to look to see which laws are most appropriate for the age of your child.

 

Here is a look at New Jersey’s child safety laws:

 

To clarify, once a child is either over the age of eight or is 57 inches or taller, they no longer need to use a booster seat. However, you should still make sure that they are wearing their seatbelt properly. Check by having them sit all the way back on the vehicle seat. If their knees do not bend naturally at the seat’s edge, or the seat belt hits them on their neck or face instead of their collarbone, they should return to sitting in a booster seat.

 

The car seats that fit “just right”

 

Making sure that you get the right car seat for your particular situation can be tricky. To make the process a little simpler, here are some questions you should ask yourself when shopping around:

 

• Does it align with the child safety laws?
• Is it appropriate for my child’s age and height?
• What are its safety ratings?
• Is my child comfortable sitting in it?
• Will it work in my car?
• Does it fit my budget?

 

There are a lot of options to choose from for all stages of car seat use. After establishing your answers to these questions, your decision should be pretty clear; but, if you still aren’t certain, here are some of our favorite options:

 

Chicco KeyFit30:

This infant car seat is perfect for children from 4 pounds, all the way up to 30 pounds, or 30 inches tall. It is also ideal for parents, as it only weighs 9 pounds without the base and is easy to install.

 

In addition, it meets the law’s requirements as it is backward facing and has a 5-point harness, is easy to clean thanks to its machine washable cover (which is also thickly padded for comfort), and includes storage and an extendable sun visor canopy.

 

Cosco Highback Booster Car Seat:

This car seat, with its harness feature, is ideal for children weighing between 22 and 40 pounds and who are between 34-43 inches tall. When used as a belt-positioning booster, it is perfect for kids that weigh between 40 and 80 pounds and are between 43 and 52 inches tall. The harness fits the regulations with a 5-point harness and also transitions easily with its two-position shoulder-belt guides.

 

Additional features include a wipe-clean fabric and easy installation, as it is LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) equipped.

 

Graco Backless Turbobooster:

For the last phase of car seat use, we have the simple and effective backless booster seat. This particular model is lightweight and includes a seat pad that is removable for machine washing. This option is best for children between 40 and 100 pounds that are 40-57 inches tall. Not only that, this booster seat also comes with height adjustable armrests for maximum comfort.

 

Drive Safely

Now that you are aware of New Jersey’s child safety laws and have picked out your ideal car seat, it’s time to decide which car is best for you. Kia has a great selection of vehicles to fit all of your needs, as they all come equipped with a full range of standard safety features. However, we have chosen two to highlight that offer exceptional space and seating that most young families desire.

 

Kia Sedona

 The first thing you think of when someone mentions the word “carpooling” is most likely the classic minivan. Minivans might have a reputation for being boring and “uncool,” but our Sedona is sure to change your mind.

 

It features trusted active and passive safety systems that provide a safe and smooth ride. This vehicle has many features that promise security and reliability, including intuitive systems to help you stay in control, a body that is made out of over 50% high-strength steel and patented technologies to provide incredible durability. The Sedona, engineered specifically to protect you and your passengers, also includes airbags with sensors that will detect impact levels and the presence of a front passenger. Lastly, it is LATCH equipped, and its structure is designed to absorb and dissipate energy from an impact, by way of both front and rear crumple zones. This 2017 IIHS Top Safety Pick is perfect for your family!

 

Kia Soul

Just like the Sedona, the Kia Soul is a vehicle dedicated to providing you with excellent child safety. The LATCH capability makes it easy and convenient to install a car seat, the airbag system detects and protects passengers, and the intuitive technology makes driving in even the worst situations a breeze. Another benefit of this vehicle is the rear safety door locks. They prevent passengers from opening the rear doors from the inside, so you don’t have to worry about your toddler swinging the door open and into traffic. If you are only going to have a maximum of five passengers at a time, the Kia Soul is a great alternative to the Sedona.

 

There you have it, everything you need to know about making sure your children are safe in your vehicle. Hopefully, this article will give you peace of mind!

 

To check out the vehicles mentioned above, stop by Nutley Auto Kia and get started on your car search today!

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