|
Do i need a separate carseat if my vehicle has an integrated
Maybe. Integrated carseats, especially those with a harness, may have some disadvantages when used as the primary restraint for a child:
Emergency personnel often prefer to remove a child in a separate carseat. This keeps the child immobilized in case of head/spinal injury, and may allow for safer transport in the ambulance.
Integrated seats do not function rear-facing. Rear-facing is safest for children, and many separate carseat models allow for rear-facing use to 30 or 35 lbs.
Integrated seats do not usually have any form of side impact protection. Many separate carseats have some form of protection, and a few have special foam or plastic specifically for side impacts. Deep wells on the side also help keep a sleeping child's head more upright.
Harnesses on some integrated seats can be difficult to adjust, and may not fit tightly, especially on smaller children. This can lead to an unsafe fit, and make it easier for a child to remove all or part of the restraint. Some integrated seats have limited or no harness height adjustment, a feature found on most separate carseat models. This means a child may be too tall for an integrated seat well before they exceed the weight limit.
Using an integrated carseat as your primary restraint may leave you without a method to transfer your child to another vehicle (relative, caregiver, vehicle being repaired, etc).
The comfort on some integrated seats is far below the level found on most separate carseats. Integrated seats also tend to be less comfortable for an adult when folded.
Optional integrated seats are often more expensive than most separate child restraints.
|
