Did you know?
Each year thousands of young children are injured or killed in car crashes due to the lack of a child seat or a seat that has been improperly installed. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):
Approximately 96% of parents believe their child seats are installed correctly.
Yet research shows that 7 out of 10 children are either not securely fastened in their car seat or are in a seat that is not properly secured to the vehicle in which it has been placed.
What makes a child seat safe?
A safe child seat is one that:
- fits your child,
- fits your vehicle, and
- is the easiest for you to use each and every time.
Some Safety Reminders
Observing the following safety reminders will help to ensure that your child receives the full protection of the safety features designed into their child seat:
- The safest place for a child in any vehicle is in the back seat, safely secured in a child seat.
- Infants should ride in rear-facing car seats in the back seat of a vehicle until they are at least one year old AND weigh 20 pounds. This is the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics. (FIG. A)
- When using a convertible car seat in the rear-facing mode, make sure the child's head is below the top of the child seat so that the head is not exposed to contact with the vehicle interior.
- Never place a child seat in front of a passenger air bag. Children should only be placed in the back seat of a vehicle. (FIG. B)
- Once children outgrow their convertible car seat, they should ride in:
- a forward-facing child seat with a higher weight limit equipped with a five-point harness (FIG. C), or
- a combination seat with five-point harness that converts to a belt-positioning booster seat (FIG. D), or
- a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle seat belt fits properly. (FIG. E)
- To ensure that a child seat is installed properly:
- Make sure that the child seat moves no more than one inch front to back or side to side at the belt path.
- Adjust the harness so that the straps are threaded through the slots at or below the child’s shoulders on a rear-facing child seat and at or above the child’s shoulders in a forward-facing convertible car seat.
- Check to make sure the harness is comfortable for your passenger but tight enough so that the straps cannot be pinched between your fingers. A snug strap should not allow any slack and should lie in a relatively straight line without sagging.
- Adjust the chest clip so that it is positioned at armpit level. (FIG. F)
- If a child seat has been involved in a severe crash or is past its expiration date, the seat should be replaced with a newer model.
- Do not use any aftermarket products (e.g., mirrors, sun visors, toys attached to the seat, etc.), as they could affect the performance of the child seat in the event of a crash and could become dangerous projectiles in a collision.
- When you are shopping for a child seat, always install the seat in your car at the store to ensure a proper fit. Local law enforcement organizations sometimes have hands-on demonstrations to teach proper car seat installation. Call your local law enforcement department to see if they can assist you with a proper installation. Additional child seat installation information can be obtained through child safety organizations, such as Safe Kids Worldwide.
If you have difficulty installing your child seat securely, contact the manufacturer or U.S. Department of Transportation for locations where you can find assistance with installation.- If you are planning to fly, be sure to check your child seat before you leave for the airport. A child seat meets FAA requirements only if it is labeled, “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.”