Installing a car seat is a tricky proposition, and unfortunately, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), you’ve probably installed it wrong. According to recent statistics, 80% of all car seats are either installed incorrectly or improperly used, and that accounts for the sad fact that the number one killer of children below the age of 14 is vehicle-involved crashes.
There are some basic “rules” for installing any car seat in any car, and it helps to keep them in mind.
- Nothing should come between your car seat and the seat of your car that could interfere with the installation; you should have direct access to seat belts or latches. You can buy special padding that protects your seats, but hold onto your receipt, just in case.
- Always, always, always put a child in the back seat. If it can’t be helped for some (desperate/exceptional) reason, then only if there is no passenger seat airbag. If there is one, find another ride or forego this trip. It’s that important.
- Make sure that your infant car seat is properly adjusted; there should be a level gauge on the side – the little ball needs to fall in the green.
- Once you’ve got the seat belt tightened or latched down, you shouldn’t be able to move it more than 1” in any direction. Go on and give it a good hard shake (take the baby out first, of course!).
Finally, your car comes with an instruction manual. Your car seat comes with an instruction manual. Occasionally, you will read conflicting information about the proper installation of your car seat. “Who trumps whom?” you might wonder. Follow the instructions provided by your child car seat manufacturer. When in doubt, call the toll-free customer service hot-line and ask for help. Keep that precious bundle of joy safe by checking out affordable auto insurance.
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