Proper Car Seat Installation
Did you know that over 85% of car seats are installed improperly? Keep your children safe by making sure that their car seats and boosters are properly installed!We have gathered info to help you know what to pay attention to when installing a child seat, and at the end of this post have added a list of additional resources for you. The pictures and videos are courtesy of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Need a visual demonstration of common mistakes, correct car seat use, and a typical safety inspection? Watch the videos below on infant & toddler car seats and convertible car seats.
REAR-FACING INFANT SEATS: Use in the back seat from birth to at least 1 year old and at least 20 pounds.
Using the installed car seat.
- Adjust the harnesses to make them snug. If there’s a plastic harness clip, keep it at armpit level to hold shoulder straps in place.
- Be sure you know how the buckle system works. You can tighten and loosen the straps around your baby with the harness adjustment lever.
- Don’t allow the straps to get twisted - they should lie flat.
- After you buckle your child in, tug the straps to make sure they’re locked.
- Place rolled-up cloth diapers, blankets, or towels around newborns to keep them snug in the car seat. You can also purchase head, neck, and body supports to secure your baby.
- If your infant’s head flops forward, make the seat more level by wedging a folded towel or other firm support under the front of it.
FORWARD-FACING TODDLER SEATS in the back seat from age 1 and 20 pounds to about age 4 and 40 pounds.
Need more help? Check out these sites for more information.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers more diagrams, videos, car seat recommendations and more.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics has a Car Seat Safety Guide updated for 2008, as well as a checklist to make sure your current car seat is safe.
- Feeling super technical? SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A.’s website has a TON of details on the technical aspect of car seats and proper installation.
Tags: Kids & Cars, Merla, Vehicle Safety Posted in
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