Common Car Seat Installation Mistakes

 

You may think that anyone capable of reading an instruction manual can install a child safety seat into a car with ease. However, as some statistics pointed out, nearly three out of four car seats on the road today are not installed properly. Car seat installation should be a required course for parenthood, but to save you some time, we’ve complied some of the most common car seat installation mistakes that can cause unsafe driving conditions for your little passengers.

·         Incorrect Harness Clip Position – The clip that snaps the harness straps together over a child’s chest are often left in an improper position, sometimes due to parents/caregivers being in a rush or just not realizing that the placement of this clip truly does make a difference in their child’s safety. The proper position for this retainer clip is at armpit left. It should never be placed over the abdomen.

·         Use of Incorrect Harness Strap Slot – Most car seats manufactured today give the option of three sets of slots to fit the harness straps through that can be adjusted as the child grows. For infants that still require a rear-facing seat, you’ll want to choose the slot located at or below your child’s shoulders. When your little passenger is ready for a forward-facing seat, choosing the slots located at or above the child’s shoulders will provide the best fit.

·         Wobbly Car Seat – When the car seat itself is secured by a seat belt it should not move more than an inch from side to side or front to back. If your vehicle has leather seats, it’s also a good idea to put a towel under the seat. Not only will it help protect the car’s leather upholstery, but it will also help the car seat from slipping on the slick seating surface.

·         Unrestricting Harness Strap – The harness straps on a car seat should not be loose. If there is any type of slack when you pinch the strap at your child’s shoulders, the straps need to be tightened.

·         Booster Seat and Seat Belt Placement – For young children that are big enough to fit in booster seats, harness straps become a thing of the past and a ‘big-kid’ seat belt is the only restraint used. The shoulder belt should never lie across a child’s neck or face. Instead, the shoulder and chest should be snugly secured.  The lap belt should fit securely across the upper thighs rather than the stomach.

Be sure to always read the instruction manuals for both your vehicle and the car seat you are using. You can never be too careful or cautious with your precious cargo.