This post was written by Linzy of Crawfish Tales on behalf of the Experimental Mommy. While a sample was received to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% honest.
How many times have you seen pictures of friends’ kids on Facebook in the car with their car seats strapped incorrectly? I know it makes me want to pick up the phone and call but sometimes we worry about stepping on feelings. But September is Baby Safety Month and now is the perfect time to share information on the correct ways to install and fasten a car seat.
In the United States during 2013, 638 children ages 12 years and younger died as occupants in motor vehicle crashes and more than 127,250 were injured says the CDC.
Did you know that 84% of rear-facing only infant car seats are misused or installed incorrectly? Whether you’re driving with children for five miles or five hundred, it’s important to make sure that your child is safely secured in the appropriate seat, and that it is installed correctly.
In honor of Childhood Safety Month, I had the opportunity to check out the #1-rated infant car seat, the Chicco KeyFit 30 Zip Infant Car Seat. From the initial opening of the box I learned:
- It is already seemed and attached to the base, ready to go.
- I LOVE the zip boot. Perfect for keeping baby warm in the cooler weather or when it rains.
- I love that the canopy is zip on and off. Great for when you need it and when you don’t
The Chicco base is what the fuss is all about with this car seat. It is easy to install and there is no guessing if the seat is installed correctly. Here’s how it’s achieved:
- ReclineSure®Spring-Loaded Leveling Foot to help achieve proper base angle in vehicle seat
- RideRight®Bubble Level-Indicators on each side of the base to indicate accurate angle in vehicle seat
- SuperCinch®One-Pull LATCH Tightener with force-multiplying technology to help achieve a tight and secure fit with a fraction of the effort!
The base also features easy vehicle belt routing and a built-in lock-off system for vehicles without LATCH. An enclosed underside helps protect vehicle seats from damage and it also conforms to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.
My husband and I love that it has the easy to remove LATCH system. To take the car seat out of the car it is as simple as undoing a seat belt…just press the button. So now that we have safety covered let’s talk more about the bells and whistles. Now on my second child, I have learned the cardinal rule of style is one thing, but being functional and easy to clean is way more important.
The KeyFit® 30 Zip features a quick-remove seat pad that is machine-washable for easy cleanup. The shell is lined with energy-absorbing foam, and is super comfy. I actually really love that it is black too. It shows less wear with the darker color and is more gender neutral if you plan to use it for multiple kids.
According to the CDC, buckling children in age- and size-appropriate car seats, booster seats, and seat belts reduces the risk of serious and fatal injuries. Car seat use reduces the risk for death to infants (aged <1 year) by 71%; and to toddlers (aged 1–4 years) by 54% in passenger vehicles. Help spread the word by sharing Chicco’s handy infographics on your social channels!
