Articles
Car seat safety: Avoid 9 common mistakes
3. Using the car seat outside of the car
4. Incorrectly installing the car seat or buckling up your child
5. Reclining your child at the incorrect angle
6. Moving to a forward-facing car seat too soon
7. Not removing your child's heavy outerwear
8. Moving to a booster seat too soon
9. Incorrectly using a booster seat
10. Transitioning to a safety belt too soon
9. Transitioning to a safety belt too soon
3. Incorrectly installing the car seat or buckling up your child
4. Reclining your child at the incorrect angle
6. Not removing your child's heavy outerwear
8. Incorrectly using a booster seat
9. Transitioning to a seat belt too soon
1. Getting a used car seat without doing your homework
Content
1. Getting a used car seat without checking that it's safe
2. Placing the car seat in the wrong spot
3. Installing the car seat or buckling up your child the wrong way
4. Reclining your child at the wrong angle
5. Moving to a forward-facing car seat too soon
6. Not removing your child's heavy outer clothes
7. Moving to a booster seat too soon
8. Using a booster seat the wrong way
9. Switching to a seat belt too soon
4. Incorrectly installing the car seat or buckling up your child
5. Reclining your child at the incorrect angle
6. Moving to a forward-facing car seat too soon
7. Not removing your child's heavy outerwear
8. Moving to a booster seat too soon
9. Incorrectly using a booster seat
10. Transitioning to a safety belt too soon
9. Transitioning to a safety belt too soon
3. Incorrectly installing the car seat or buckling up your child
4. Reclining your child at the incorrect angle
6. Not removing your child's heavy outerwear
8. Incorrectly using a booster seat
9. Transitioning to a seat belt too soon
1. Getting a used car seat without doing your homework
Content
1. Getting a used car seat without checking that it's safe
2. Placing the car seat in the wrong spot
3. Installing the car seat or buckling up your child the wrong way
4. Reclining your child at the wrong angle
5. Moving to a forward-facing car seat too soon
6. Not removing your child's heavy outer clothes
7. Moving to a booster seat too soon
8. Using a booster seat the wrong way
9. Switching to a seat belt too soon
3. Installing the car seat or buckling up your child the wrong way
Before you install a car seat, read the seat maker's instructions. Also read the section on car seats in the owner's manual for your vehicle. Many car seat makers provide online videos with steps for installation. Watching the video directly from the car seat maker should give you the most accurate advice. To check that it is installed securely, grab the bottom of the seat near the attachment points or seat belt path. If you can move the seat more than 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) from side to side or front to back, it's not secured tightly enough.
If you use a seat that's only for infants or a convertible seat that faces the back of the car, keep these tips in mind:
- Use the harness slots described in the seat maker's instructions. The slots are usually located at or just below the child's shoulders. Place the harness straps over your child's shoulders.
- Buckle the harness straps and chest clip. Make sure it's a snug fit. The harness straps should be tight enough that you can't pinch any strap between your fingertips. The chest clip should be even with your child's armpits. Make sure the straps and clip lie flat against your child's chest and over the hips with no slack.
