Car Seat Safety – Chicco NextFit

For a few years after college, I worked as an insurance claims adjuster. I investigated car accidents to determine liability and damages, and in the process saw many, many horrible accidents.

Although the blog name “A Helicopter Mom” is a bit tongue-in-cheek, I’m definitely a mom who does everything I can to try and keep my kids safe. One huge way that I can do that is with car safety, proper car seats and proper use of those seats.

Since buying our first carseat seven years ago, I’ve learned a lot about what to look for in a car seat. Some of the carseats that I thought would be convenient ended up being almost impossible to install or adjust. And a couple of the carseats didn’t last anywhere close to the length of time I was led to believe they would.

The Chicco NextFit Convertible Car Seat is a seat that covers every one of the requirements I now have in car seats. If I’d been able to start out with the NextFit Convertible seat with my first child, I could have saved a lot of money and effort. Instead of buying an expensive infant seat that only lasted a few months and then moving to a convertible seat, I could have used the Chicco NextFit for the entire time.

Not only does the Chicco NextFit last longer as it transitions from a rear-facing infant seat to a forward-facing convertible seat, but it’s also easier to use.

If you’ve ever used pool noodles or rolled towels to try and make your child’s car seat fit into your car, you can appreciate the proper fit of Chicco NextFit Car Seats.:

Simply – With the ReclineSure™ 9-position Leveling System, the NextFit car seat adjusts with just one hand for a good fit in more vehicles and seats.

Accurately – Two RideRight™ bubble levels clearly indicate the proper seat angle in both rear and forward-facing modes, taking the guesswork out of installing the car seat.

Securely – The SuperCinch™ LATCH tightener uses force-multiplying technology to get a tighter and more secure fit, so parents or any size can secure the car seat.

Car Seat Safety Tips from Julie Prom, Car Seat Safety Advocate

• Rear-facing is safest. Parents should keep their child rear-facing until at least 2 years old, or longer if the car seat weight and height limit allows.

• Most children under 5 are not mature enough to sit without a full harness. For that reason, it’s safest to keep your children in a forward-facing car seat with a harness until they are 5 or 6 years old.

• Most common mistakes can easily be avoided. Many common mistakes are made by not following manufacturers’ instructions. Always read and follow your car seat manufacturer’s instuctions, along with your vehicle owner’s manual section on child restraints.

• Always buckle the baby in the car seat without a jacket or blanket. First secure the baby safely and properly in the car seat and then use a blanket (or coat on backwards for older children) over the harness. This helps prevent overheating and helps ensure a safe and proper fit in the car seat.

• Always use the top tether when installing a forward-facing car seat. The top tether reduces movement in a crash and also helps acheive a tight installation.

Read more about the Chicco NextFit online.

I wrote this review while participating in a campaign for Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Chicco and I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.