Choosing which car seat is best for your baby can be a confusing and somewhat difficult process. From infant carriers to convertible toddler seats and booster seats, the choices can seem somewhat overwhelming to the first time parent. First and foremost, purchase a SAFE car seat that has not been recalled. NEVER buy a used one from a friend or at a garage sale, even though you may be tempted to do so to save some money as you quickly realize how expensive having a baby can be. This is an expenditure that CANNOT be compromised on as cutting corners should not apply here. The safety of your child is much more important than risking buying a potentially unsafe car seat.

We received an Evenflo infant carrier car seat as a shower gift from my parents soon before my now 13 month old son, Tristan, was born. We were quite pleased with the performance and safety exhibited by this car seat and experienced no problems at all. So when Tristan quickly reached 20 pounds in weight by the time he was 7 months old (the maximum weight limit for most standard infant carrier car seats), we decided to purchase a larger, convertible toddler seat by the same company to better meet his safety needs. Our choice was the moderately priced, affordable Evenflo Horizon 1. I purchased this car seat online at K-Mart (www.bluelight.com) for $59.99, plus shipping and handling. While there are better, more expensive convertible car seats available (those that can be used for both infants AND toddlers), this one seemed fit our needs perfectly.

The Evenflo Horizon 1 is a convertible car seat with an adjustable "over the head" swing shield that is designed for babies ranging in weight from 5 to 40 pounds. When money is a concern or a big baby is expected, some parents skip the infant car seat altogether and purchase a convertible one right away as the infant model must be replaced by a larger seat anyway once a baby reaches 20 pounds in weight. We did this with our first two, and it worked quite well. Only we had nothing else to compare our experience to at the time, so we managed blindly. Third time around, however, we had the luxury and convenience of using an infant carrier seat during Tristan's newborn period and we suddenly realized what we'd been missing! How much easier it was to place a sleeping baby in and out of the car without waking him and then carry him around undisturbed with the infant carrier car seat. I truly hated to part with it so soon, but it was no longer convenient (or SAFE!) to carry a 20 pound heavyweight around in such a seat, so into retirement it went.

Once the Evenflo Horizon 1 arrived at our doorstep, we packed the old infant car seat away and installed this newer larger one according to the enclosed instruction sheet. If you become unsure in the process of installing a car seat correctly, visit your local police department for help or take yours to a car seat safety check point most communities routinely provide for it's citizens. Accident records have shown that the majority of car seats in operation today are NOT properly installed, so for your child's safety, have his or her car seat checked out just in case if you aren't sure.

Because Tristan was only 7 months at the time we installed the Evenflo Horizon 1, we kept him rear-facing in the middle of the back seat for greatest safety. Infants MUST ride in a rear-facing position until they reach 20 pounds in weight AND reach 1 year of age. It's NOT an either/or requirement, and many parents can easily become confused on this issue. So, even though Tristan had reached the 20 pound mark, he was not yet 1 year of age, so rear-facing he stayed. Children that reach 1 year of age but are NOT at least 20 pounds in weight should remain rear facing as well.


REAR FACING INFANT USE

As a general rule of thumb, rear-facing is the safest position to place your baby in while riding in an automobile. In a crash, the back of the child restraint protects the baby and absorbs crash forces. So for rear-facing use, the Evenflo Horizon 1 may be used by infants 5 to 30 pounds whose head (maximum height) must be 1 inch below the top of the seat back (taller babies should be switched to forward facing). This child restraint seat must be placed in the reclining position facing the rear of the vehicle, with the seat belt tightly secured through the "rear-facing" opening found directly under the seat. If the Evenflo Horizon 1 can be moved more than 1 inch in any direction, the belt is not tight enough. Reposition the seat and retighten the belt for the safest ride. Use the middle and bottom shoulder harness slots ONLY in the rear-facing position. DO NOT FACE THIS CHILD RESTRAINT FORWARD WITH AN INFANT UNDER 20 POUNDS AND 1 YEAR OF AGE AS SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH CAN OCCUR.


FORWARD FACING TODDLER USE

Even though it remains safest to leave a child rear-facing until they are 30 pounds, the Evenflo Horizon 1 may be converted to an upright, forward facing position at a minimum weight of 20 pounds and a minimum age of 12 months. To do so, the child restraint must be placed in an upright position with the harness straps moved to the upper slots. Do NOT use the middle or bottom shoulder harness slots in the forward position. Thread the vehicle's seat belt through the "forward facing" slot directly in back of the Evenflo Horizon 1 and tighten securely in place, preferably in the middle back seat. Again, if the car seat can be moved more than one inch in any direction, the belt is not tight enough. Reposition and retighten as necessary, using the factory installed "tether strap" in addition to the vehicle seat belt system with forward facing use as required with new Federal safety regulations. The Evenflo Horizon 1 is designed to safely transport toddlers 20 to 40 pounds in the forward facing position. The maximum height limit is 40 inches, or if the child's ears are at the top of the seat back. When either of these milestones are met, it's time to graduate your toddler from the Evenflo Horizon 1 to a booster seat designed for larger children up to age 8 and 80 pounds.


SAFETY TIPS

**The first and most important thing to do is make a firm family rule: Everyone rides buckled up or the vehicle does not go. PERIOD. Make no exceptions for adults and children. If someone unbuckles, stop the vehicle. Being firm and consistent right from the start will lead to fewer discipline problems down the road as children get older. Besides, an unrestrained child or adult can be thrown into and injure other passengers in a crash.

**NEVER try to tend to a crying baby's needs while driving. Do not take a baby out of a child restraint seat for comforting while the vehicle is in motion. Do not feed an infant while riding in a car seat. Also, older children should not be allowed to have objects such as suckers or ice cream on a stick while riding in a child restraint seat, as such items can injure the child if the vehicle swerves or hits a bump.

**Dress baby in clothing with legs. The child restraint harness must pass between the baby's legs to permit a tight, safer fit. In cold weather, baby may need a blanket for extra warmth. Cut holes in the blanket for the harness to pass through (a fleece blanket won't ravel and needs no sewing).

**Always make sure you hear that distinct "clicking" sound when buckling your child into the Evenflo Horizon 1 to ensure he or she is correctly restrained.

**To help protect the vehicle upholstery, place a towel beneath and behind the Evenflo Horizon 1.

**Padding may be removed for cleaning by unhooking under the Evenflo Horizon 1. Cloth pads can be machine washed separately in cold water, delicate cycle, and tumble dried for 10-15 minutes on low heat.

**Airplane use: This child restraint system meets FAA inversion requirements for airplane use. Airplane installation is the same as automobile installation.

**Accidents: Always replace any child restraint system immediately if you are involved in a crash, no matter how minor (most auto insurance policies cover replacement costs). Unseen damage to the seat may occur, making it less safe for use in any future crashes.

**NEVER place a rear-facing child restraint device in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger side air-bag. Serious injury and death can occur! Again, the ideal place for the Evenflo Horizon 1 as well as any other car seat is in the middle back seat.


MY EXPERIENCE

From ages 7 to 12 months, Tristan has ridden safely in his Evenflo Horizon 1 in the reclining, rear-facing position with no problems. Once he reached his first birthday a month ago, we placed him upright and forward-facing, much to his delight. While the padding is a bit thin and seems to make longer rides a bit uncomfortable for him, Tristan rarely complains about being in his car seat otherwise. It IS rather difficult at times when moving the Evenflo Horizon 1 from one vehicle to another, but hopefully we can remedy this situation soon by purchasing a spare seat in the near future to keep from having to do this much longer.


FINAL RECOMMENDATION

If you are looking for a standard, "no-frills", moderately priced child restraint convertible seat, consider purchasing the Evenflo Horizon 1. It is safe, fairly easy to install, with attractive blue-checkered padding to match most vehicles interior decor. While more expensive seats with the "five-point harness system" are recommended to be somewhat safer than the adjustable "over-the-head" swing shield contained on the Evenflo Horizon 1, this car seat meets all Federal requirements set forth for child restraint safety use to date. I feel safe knowing that Tristan is protected every time he is buckled up for a ride in his trusted Evenflo Horizon 1 car seat.

For more information on the Evenflo Horizon 1 and a variety of other child restraint devices, check out their website online at:

www.evenflo.com

EVENFLO PARENTLINK

1-800-233-5921

Keeping Connected With You and Your Baby

EVENFLO COMPANY, INC.
1801 Commerce Drive
Piqua, OH 45356 USA




Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 59.99
Age Range of Child: 12 to 36 Months