Ten Features to Look for in a Child Safety Seat

    WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 To take the confusion out of one of
the most important purchasing decisions a parent can make, AAA is offering
"Ten Features to Look For When Buying a Child Safety Seat."

    Motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of children under ten,
according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  In 1999
alone, over 1,100 children were killed and 182,000 more were injured in car
crashes.  Every day, three children under age ten are killed and 500 more are
injured in car crashes.

    To reduce this fatality rate, AAA is participating in National Child
Passenger Safety Week, February 11-17.  The Association recommends that
parents look for the following important features when selecting a child
safety seat. These features can make your child seat more convenient for
parents and safer for children:

     1) Check Your Car's Owner's Manual -- Before purchasing a seat look for
        specifications and proper placement of the child seat.

     2) Fits a variety of vehicles -- Avoid seats with larger bases because
        they will not fit in smaller vehicles. Instead, choose one with a
        narrow base which is more versatile.

     3) Ease of Installation -- There should be clear instructions on the seat
        itself.  Choose one that explains installation with a diagram instead
        of text.  The instruction booklet should be written in a clear concise
        manner with proper illustrations.

     4) Easy Belt Path -- For your convenience, make sure the child's seat
        belt path is easily accessed.

     5) Built in Locking Clips -- These are a great alternative to the
        traditional locking clips.

     6) Two Piece Retainer Clips -- Two piece clips are important in helping
        the child stay in place.

     7) Accessible Harness Adjusters -- Adjusters make it more convenient for
        parents to move the child in or out of the seat.

     8) Pay Attention to Weight Limits -- Look for rear-facing convertible
        seats with weight limits up to 30 pounds, usually noted on the seat.
        These limits help protect young children who have outgrown smaller
        seats.

     9) Color Coding for Age and Weight -- Many seats offer color coding to
        differentiate age and weight ranges for that seat.

     10) Easy Care and Cleaning -- Choose a seat with a smooth fabric you can
         easily wipe clean.  Difficult fabrics such as corduroy can be harder
         to wash.