Health Tip: Buying Baby's Car Seat

(HealthDay News) -- Car safety seats, like the infants and children they protect, come in lots of different shapes and sizes.

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists offers these suggestions to help parents select a safe car seat:

• Find out if your car is designed to handle a seat fitted for the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system.
• Evaluate the car seat in the store by locking and unlocking buckles and adjusting the straps.
• Test the car seat in your vehicle to be certain that it fits well.
• Read product labels to evaluate each seat's weight limits.
• Don't make your decision based on solely on price. The more expensive seats aren't necessarily safer.
• Never buy a car seat that's used unless you're certain that it hasn't been in a car accident and isn't missing parts. Be sure there is no damage, and that the seat still harbors the maker's label, including the model number.

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