Comments on: Car Seat Information (Isn’t it a joy to lug around?) http://www.themomcrowd.com/car-seat-information-isnt-it-a-joy-to-lug-around Sat, 11 Feb 2012 11:00:32 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Shana http://www.themomcrowd.com/car-seat-information-isnt-it-a-joy-to-lug-around/comment-page-1#comment-1454 Shana Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:06:14 +0000 http://www.themomcrowd.com/car-seat-information-isnt-it-a-joy-to-lug-around#comment-1454 I live in Vancouver Canada and am a certified car seat technician here (believe it or not it's a 2 day course!!). Canadian and American standards are slightly different but having said that, all seats have expiration dates. When you buy a seat make sure you send in the registration card. It's the only way the company can contact you in the event of a recall. You can google car seat recall and sign up to receive emails when car seats are recalled. It happens monthly and all companies have been on the recall list at one time or another. In Canada, and I assume it's the same in the USA, all seats meet a certain safety standard. It's marketing if they tell you that one seat is the safest or safer than the rest. They are all safe (new) but some may be more cushy, thinner, wider, heavier etc. You should always try out the seat in your car prior to purchasing it. All seats fit each car differently. It depends on the depth and slope of the car's seat, the width of the carseat, how many seats you are putting in the car, whether there are UAS bolts in all the positions or only 2, etc. Most stores are good about this. You always want to look at the manual for the seat and the car's manual before installing the seat. Anyway, there's more to say but I'll quit now. I'm happy to answer any questions should someone email. Car seats are one of the most important purchases you will buy. Shana www.weetravel.ca I live in Vancouver Canada and am a certified car seat technician here (believe it or not it’s a 2 day course!!). Canadian and American standards are slightly different but having said that, all seats have expiration dates. When you buy a seat make sure you send in the registration card. It’s the only way the company can contact you in the event of a recall. You can google car seat recall and sign up to receive emails when car seats are recalled. It happens monthly and all companies have been on the recall list at one time or another. In Canada, and I assume it’s the same in the USA, all seats meet a certain safety standard. It’s marketing if they tell you that one seat is the safest or safer than the rest. They are all safe (new) but some may be more cushy, thinner, wider, heavier etc. You should always try out the seat in your car prior to purchasing it. All seats fit each car differently. It depends on the depth and slope of the car’s seat, the width of the carseat, how many seats you are putting in the car, whether there are UAS bolts in all the positions or only 2, etc. Most stores are good about this. You always want to look at the manual for the seat and the car’s manual before installing the seat. Anyway, there’s more to say but I’ll quit now. I’m happy to answer any questions should someone email. Car seats are one of the most important purchases you will buy.

Shana
http://www.weetravel.ca

]]> By: Myra http://www.themomcrowd.com/car-seat-information-isnt-it-a-joy-to-lug-around/comment-page-1#comment-1452 Myra Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:59:39 +0000 http://www.themomcrowd.com/car-seat-information-isnt-it-a-joy-to-lug-around#comment-1452 i have to put another vote in for the britax. we bought two for my son, and he fit in them until we switched him to a booster right before kindergarten. it was kind of a moving up moment for him. before that, we had used the eddie bauer carrying system, and i was really happy with it. we seemed to get the most bang for our buck using the stroller/carrier/carseat combo, and then switching to the britax full fledged carseat that was rated for 40-50 pounds. i have to put another vote in for the britax. we bought two for my son, and he fit in them until we switched him to a booster right before kindergarten. it was kind of a moving up moment for him. before that, we had used the eddie bauer carrying system, and i was really happy with it. we seemed to get the most bang for our buck using the stroller/carrier/carseat combo, and then switching to the britax full fledged carseat that was rated for 40-50 pounds.

]]> By: Sharon M http://www.themomcrowd.com/car-seat-information-isnt-it-a-joy-to-lug-around/comment-page-1#comment-1450 Sharon M Tue, 08 Apr 2008 08:28:45 +0000 http://www.themomcrowd.com/car-seat-information-isnt-it-a-joy-to-lug-around#comment-1450 @Christine -- Thanks for the info about expiration dates and stuff. We have a Britax Marathon and it's great! The only thing I've had to do is replace the car seat cover b/c the old one got a little ratty. @Melissa -- We had a similar one for our son and really liked it. Keep in mind, though, that you'll have to buy another car seat after approx. six months. Some people just skip the infant car seat and go straight to the convertible to save money. @Christine — Thanks for the info about expiration dates and stuff. We have a Britax Marathon and it’s great! The only thing I’ve had to do is replace the car seat cover b/c the old one got a little ratty.

@Melissa — We had a similar one for our son and really liked it. Keep in mind, though, that you’ll have to buy another car seat after approx. six months. Some people just skip the infant car seat and go straight to the convertible to save money.

]]> By: Amanda http://www.themomcrowd.com/car-seat-information-isnt-it-a-joy-to-lug-around/comment-page-1#comment-1448 Amanda Tue, 08 Apr 2008 04:46:03 +0000 http://www.themomcrowd.com/car-seat-information-isnt-it-a-joy-to-lug-around#comment-1448 Melissa - I think the seat is great. I have a few friends and they have the Snugfit and they like it. Also, I think that might be one of the lighter ones. Christine - Thanks for reminding us about the expiration dates. I had forgotten about that! Heidi - We had the same problem when we rented a minivan in CA. We put a convertible seat and a booster in the back seat and there was barely any room in between to seat an adult. We made it work, but it wasn't a comfortable ride. Dawn - You are right! I was just discussing that the ither day with a friend. Its funny how toys and patterns keep changing! Even my stuff from last year is outdated looking. Tracy - Thanks for the tip on the Fire Department! Melissa – I think the seat is great. I have a few friends and they have the Snugfit and they like it. Also, I think that might be one of the lighter ones.

Christine – Thanks for reminding us about the expiration dates. I had forgotten about that!

Heidi – We had the same problem when we rented a minivan in CA. We put a convertible seat and a booster in the back seat and there was barely any room in between to seat an adult. We made it work, but it wasn’t a comfortable ride.

Dawn – You are right! I was just discussing that the ither day with a friend. Its funny how toys and patterns keep changing! Even my stuff from last year is outdated looking.

Tracy – Thanks for the tip on the Fire Department!

]]> By: Tracy http://www.themomcrowd.com/car-seat-information-isnt-it-a-joy-to-lug-around/comment-page-1#comment-1447 Tracy Tue, 08 Apr 2008 03:58:22 +0000 http://www.themomcrowd.com/car-seat-information-isnt-it-a-joy-to-lug-around#comment-1447 If in doubt you can call your local fire department and ask them if they have someone there that can inspect your carseat according to the up to date standards. They can even show you the proper way to install/fasten it into the seat. If they cannot help they may be able to direct you in the correct direction. I remember going to the Leon Valley Community Center (behind the library) July 4th one year and carseat safety was one of their concerns and issues. If in doubt you can call your local fire department and ask them if they have someone there that can inspect your carseat according to the up to date standards. They can even show you the proper way to install/fasten it into the seat. If they cannot help they may be able to direct you in the correct direction. I remember going to the Leon Valley Community Center (behind the library) July 4th one year and carseat safety was one of their concerns and issues.

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