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September 24, 2021

Baby Safety from Tags to Textiles

By Meredith McCue, Marketing Soft Goods Manager

A car seat is one of the first (and most important) items a parent will buy for their child. According to new Chicco research* commissioned ahead of Baby Safety Month, parents spend more time researching car seats than any other baby gear item. The survey also found that 42% of children spend four or more hours in their car seats in a typical week. With so much time spent in one spot, it’s critical that a child’s seat is both safe and comfortable.

So, where should parents start when choosing a car seat? Look for fundamentals like ease of install, child fit, and child comfort – all three play a critical role in child safety. Parents should consider the latest fabric innovations as well. Chicco continues to innovate with a focus on providing parents with performance fabrics that meet their different needs, without compromising safety or comfort.

Car Seat Fabric Innovations

For parents searching for the ultimate in comfort for their child’s car seat, Chicco launched a new solution called Adapt, featuring an innovative combination of patented 37.5® Technology** and breathable mesh. Getting your child to want to sit in their car seat and remain comfortable can be a challenge but Adapt utilizes humidity-regulating fabric that’s permanently embedded with natural volcanic mineral particles to regulate your child’s microclimate by drawing away moisture to maintain a comfortable temperature. Adapt helps parents keep their cool with car seat struggles by keeping kids comfortable!

For families seeking greener solutions, the new ClearTex® line from Chicco is outfitted with fabric that complies with federal car seat flammability standards without the need for added chemical treatments. This was achieved by developing an innovative construction of polyester fibers to produce fabrics that are inherently fire-resistant. Even the seat’s tags and warning labels contain no flame retardant chemicals! Parents can rest assured that ClearTex® car seats contribute to healthier air quality around baby from head to toe, as guaranteed by the GREENGUARD Gold certification that accompanies all Chicco ClearTex® seats.

The Adapt fabric is available on parent-loved Chicco car seats, including the Fit4 Adapt, a convertible model that grows with child from birth to big kid, and the KidFit Adapt Plus, a booster offering customized comfort for every ride. In the ClearTex® line, you’ll find the top-rated KeyFit 35 ClearTex®, an extended-use infant car seat with safety features that make it easy to install and use correctly every time. Additionally, the NextFit Max ClearTex® offers extended legroom and effortlessly transitions between rear-facing to forward-facing modes of use to support children up to 65lbs. Whether you opt for an infant car seat, convertible or booster, your child will be in a seat that is engineered for comfort, safety, and peace of mind.

Everyday Tips for Car Seat Safety

Once you’ve found the perfect seat, the next step is to make sure you’re using it correctly. Whether you’re a car seat pro or preparing for your first little one, Chicco Child Passenger Safety Technician, Josh Dilts adds the below tips:

  • An easy at-home test to make sure your car seat is installed securely: When it comes to car seat installation, 55% of parents do not know or are not sure what the ‘inch test’ is. To perform it, grab the car seat or base at the belt path and pull it forward and from side to side. If the seat moves more than one inch in any direction, you should reinstall and test again.

  • Winter coat protocol: 40% of parents say it is recommended for a child to wear a winter coat in a car seat with a five-point harness or that they are unsure. Best practice is to remove baby’s bulky coat before car rides, as it can leave baby vulnerable in a crash when the down or poly fill compresses – resulting in a too-loose harness.

For parents looking for additional car seat safety information, www.ChiccoUSA.com offers a variety of resources from how to choose a car seat, car seat comparisons and step-by-step installation videos.

 

*Results based on Chicco survey of 1,004 U.S. parents in August 2021 

**Learn more at www.thirtysevenfive.com

About the Writer

Meredith McCue is the Marketing Soft Goods Manager at Chicco, pairing her passion for child safety with cutting-edge fabric innovations.  Meredith helps ensure car seat fabrics are functional, comfortable, and fashionable all while meeting necessary testing requirements. As a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, Meredith enjoys introducing new parents to Chicco and educating them on the products that would best fit their individual lifestyle.

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