Car Seat Safety
1. Buying a Secondhand Car Seat Without Checking Its Background.
Buying a secondhand car seat without knowing its history can be risky. Always check for visible damage, missing parts, or recalled models before use. Find the instruction manual and a label with the manufacture date and model number.
Do not use a car seat older than six years, as its materials may weaken. Make sure the seat has never been in a crash. If you cannot confirm its past, choose a different seat for your child’s safety.
| What to Check | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer instructions | Ensures proper use. |
| Model number and date | Confirms age and retrieves memories. |
| Visible damage and missing parts | Impacts safety in a crash. |
| Crash history | Seats weaken following accidents. |
| Recalls | Prevents use of unsafe seats. |
2. Putting the Car Seat in an Unsafe Position.
The back seat is the safest place for any car seat. Air bags in the front seat are made for adults, not children, and can cause injuries if they inflate. Place the car seat in the center of the back seat whenever possible. This spot lowers the risk of injury in side impacts. In vehicles with only one row of seats—such as some pickup trucks—use a car seat only if you can turn off the airbag.
Tip: Never install a car seat next to an active air bag.
3. Failing to Install the Car Seat or Fasten the Child Correctly.
Install the car seat and fasten your child securely for the best protection. Read both the car seat instructions and your car’s owner manual before installing. The seat should not move more than an inch in any direction at the base.
Steps for a Safe Installation
- Set the seat at the correct angle (see the next subsection).
- Attach using either the seat belt or LATCH system.
- Make sure harness straps are flat and snug, with the chest clip at armpit level.
- Remove slack from the harness straps and double-check the chest clip position.
For infants, use harness slots at or below the shoulders. Convertible and all-in-one seats may have different instructions—check the manual for your specific model. You can place tightly rolled blankets beside the baby for support if the seat maker allows it.
4. Incorrect Reclining Angle for Your Child.
Set rear-facing car seats at a safe recline angle to keep your baby’s airway open. If the seat is too upright, a young child’s head can fall forward, which may cause breathing problems. Most car seats include an angle indicator or part to help you adjust the seat correctly. As your child grows, adjust the recline angle based on the instructions for that car seat model.
Checklist for Reclining the Seat
- Use the angle adjuster if included.
- Follow the seat’s label or indicator.
- Check and adjust regularly as your child grows.
5. Turning the Seat to Face Forward Before the Child Is Ready.
Keep your child in a rear-facing car seat as long as possible, until they outgrow the seat’s weight and height limits. Most convertible and all-in-one car seats allow higher limits for rear-facing than infant-only seats.
When your child exceeds those limits, move to forward-facing and install the seat as instructed. Always use the top tether in the forward-facing setup, and place harness straps at or above the shoulders.
| Rear-Facing to Forward-Facing Quick Guide |
|---|
| Stay rear-facing until reaching max weight/height set by seat manufacturer. |
| Move to forward-facing in the back seat with tether, using either seat belt or Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH). |
| Adjust harness to shoulder level or above. |
6. Leaving On Thick Coats or Bulky Clothing Under the Harness
Thick outerwear or bulky clothing can keep harness straps from fitting closely against your child. In a crash, puffy clothes can compress, leaving extra space under the harness and raising the risk of injury. To keep your child warm and safe:
- Remove coats, snowsuits, or thick sweaters before buckling.
- Buckle the harness snugly against their clothing.
- Place a blanket or coat over the harness to keep your child warm.
Remember: The harness must fit close to your child’s body, not the clothes.
7. Switching to a Booster Seat Before Your Child Is Big Enough
Booster seats help seat belts fit older children correctly. Wait to move your child to a booster seat until they outgrow the weight and height limits for their car seat. Keep your child in a harnessed seat as long as possible within those limits.
Check your state’s laws about booster seats. Using a booster seat correctly lowers the risk of injury by putting the seat belt in the right place over your child’s hips and chest.
Booster Readiness Signs
- Reach highest harnessed car seat limits first.
- Check your state’s booster seat laws for age and size.
- Ensure proper belt fit with the booster.
8. Misusing the booster seat
Always use a booster seat with both a lap and a shoulder seat belt—not just a lap belt. The goal is to position the adult seat belt safely:
- The lap belt should go low, across the upper thighs—not the stomach.
- The shoulder belt should cross the middle of the shoulder and chest, not touch the neck or face.
There are two main types of booster seats:
- High-Back Boosters: Help position the belt in cars with low seat backs or no headrests.
- Backless Boosters: Use only if the vehicle seat or headrest gives enough head support.
Keep children in the booster until the seat belt fits well without it.
| Booster Seat Dos and Don’ts | Example |
|---|---|
| Use with lap and shoulder belt only | Never lap belt alone |
| Keep belt low and flat across thighs | Not on belly |
| Shoulder belt centered, not on neck | Not across face |
| Follow size and age recommendations | Based on seat label |
9. Moving to Only a Seat Belt Too Early
Most children need a booster seat until they are between eight and twelve years old. Use a booster seat until your child is tall enough and fits safely into a seat belt. Signs your child is ready for only a seat belt:
- At least 4 feet 9 inches (about 145 cm) tall
- Can sit with their back against the seat, knees bent at seat edge
- Lap belt lays flat across upper thighs, not stomach
- Shoulder belt crosses chest and shoulder, avoiding the neck and face
Keep children younger than 13 years in the back seat. If you are not sure about your child’s readiness, visit a car seat inspection event or ask a certified child passenger safety technician.
Quick Safety List
- Continue booster seat use until proper belt fit
- Check belt fit every trip as children grow
- Keep children in the back seat up to age 13
Additional Resources
For help choosing or installing a car seat, contact a local car seat inspection station. Certified technicians can answer questions about proper car seat use and law requirements. Visit healthnile.com for more tips. Follow the instruction guide included with your car seat and vehicle for exact installation steps. Regular inspections help make sure all parts—from the harness straps to the chest clip—work properly.
