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Car Seat RentalThinking of renting a car seat? While renting a car seat while on travel sounds like a convenient option for parents, it is not the safest or most cost effective.
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When planning your travel, deciding whether to rent a car seat hinges on several factors: your itinerary, the length of your trip, the amount of time spent in a vehicle, and the number and age of your children. Many parents opt to rent a car seat when visiting a destination with family or friends, using taxis, or limousines, private car hire, or renting a car. In California, for instance, rental car companies are required by law to provide car seats for children. While renting a car seat can be convenient—typically costing between $6 to $10 per day or $35 to $55 per week—it may be more practical and safer to consider alternative options. Bringing your own car seat or purchasing an affordable one upon arrival can often be a more economical and secure choice.
Safety Risks When Renting a Car Seat
There are companies that rent baby gear including strollers, cribs and even car seats. While these companies provide convenience to parents, when it comes to car seats however there are significant safety factors to consider that can put your child at risk of injury or even death upon a car crash. The leading risk factor is that for most, if not all, car seat rental companies, and this includes rental car agencies, do not have Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians available to not only install your car seat but to properly inspect the car seat. Without being a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, one does not know what to look for in a car seat once it has been returned from being used and cleaned: They need to properly inspect the car seat:
Additional concerns include, does the company:
There are companies that rent baby gear including strollers, cribs and even car seats. While these companies provide convenience to parents, when it comes to car seats however there are significant safety factors to consider that can put your child at risk of injury or even death upon a car crash. The leading risk factor is that for most, if not all, car seat rental companies, and this includes rental car agencies, do not have Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians available to not only install your car seat but to properly inspect the car seat. Without being a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, one does not know what to look for in a car seat once it has been returned from being used and cleaned: They need to properly inspect the car seat:
- For any damage
- Ensure it has all the necessary parts included
- Confirm it has all the parts attached correctly to the seat such as harness straps routed and connected properly for example
Additional concerns include, does the company:
- Keep up to date on car seat recalls?
- Make sure the instructions come with the car seat?
- Ensure that all parts to the car seat are available and assembled correctly, and know how to tell?
- Confirm that there is no damage to the car seat and know how to tell?
- Make sure the car seat has been and is cleaned to your standard, and if not, will one be made immediately available when you arrive to meet those standards?
RECOMMENDATION:
Purchase a Car Seat or Booster Seat for Travel Instead of Renting
The cost to rent a car seat ranges between $6 to $10 per day and $35 to $55 per week, depending on the type of car seat or booster seat. Because of the safety risks of rental car seats, if you choose not to travel with your own, it is best to purchase an inexpensive, lighter car seat or booster seat to take with you or purchase at your destination. Less expensive car seats and booster seats are available at department stores such as Walmart, Target, etc. for example, with prices starting at $45, and convertible and booster seats start at $35. These less expensive infant, convertible and booster seats are safe as in the United States, they meet Federal Standards. The reason these are less expensive is because they have less convenient parts such as lock offs and harness strap adjusters to make it easier for the parent. But for travel these are a great option because they are often lighter, new, clean and you do not have to worry if they have been damaged. After you are done traveling, if you are visiting friends or family that you visit often, you can leave the car seat with them after they drop you off to the airport or take it home with you for future travels.
Purchase a Car Seat or Booster Seat for Travel Instead of Renting
The cost to rent a car seat ranges between $6 to $10 per day and $35 to $55 per week, depending on the type of car seat or booster seat. Because of the safety risks of rental car seats, if you choose not to travel with your own, it is best to purchase an inexpensive, lighter car seat or booster seat to take with you or purchase at your destination. Less expensive car seats and booster seats are available at department stores such as Walmart, Target, etc. for example, with prices starting at $45, and convertible and booster seats start at $35. These less expensive infant, convertible and booster seats are safe as in the United States, they meet Federal Standards. The reason these are less expensive is because they have less convenient parts such as lock offs and harness strap adjusters to make it easier for the parent. But for travel these are a great option because they are often lighter, new, clean and you do not have to worry if they have been damaged. After you are done traveling, if you are visiting friends or family that you visit often, you can leave the car seat with them after they drop you off to the airport or take it home with you for future travels.
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Mobile Car Seat Installation Services for Travel
As with any car seat or booster seat, it must fit the child's height and weight and be used and installed properly according to the instructions of the car seat and motor vehicle. It is recommended to have a Certified Technician show you how to install the car seat, even when you are on travel. Pro Car Seat Safety is available to answer questions and can meet you at the airport or department store, to show you how to install and use your car seat properly. Call 323-491-6197. |
