CAR SEAT SAFETY

  1. Improper Use of Locking Clips. You should carefully follow the instructions that come with your child seat AND those that come with your vehicle to determine whether you need to use the clips and how to use them correctly.
  2. Improper Use of Harness Clips. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA), over half of the child seats had harness retainer clips that weren’t used correctly. In general, harness retainer clips should be placed at the level of the child’s armpit, but follow the specific instructions that come with your seat.
  3. Improper Use of Harness Straps. Generally, the straps have been found to be too loose. You should not be able to fit more than one finger between the strap and your child’s collarbone, according to the National Safe Kids Campaign. They should also lie flat, not twisted, and should be correctly threaded through the slots in the back of the seat and properly anchored. Instructions come with the seat.
  4. Vehicle Seat Belts Not Properly Secured. The seat belt on your vehicle should be correctly routed through the child safety seat and firmly locked in its connection. The child seat should be anchored such that it cannot be wiggled side to side or pulled forward or rocked backward.
  5. Incorrect Positioning of the Child Safety Seat. According to the the NHSTA, ten percent of the child seat mistakes are a result of positioning a seat in the wrong direction or at the wrong angle. Rear-facing seats should only be positioned to face to the rear; forward-facing seats should only face forward. Rear racing seats should be positioned to recline at a 45-degree angle so that the baby’s head is cradled.
  6. Incorrect Type of Seat for Age and Size of Child. The correct type of seat for infants under 20 pounds and under 12 months of age is rear facing. The development of the infant’s neck and spine is directly related to readiness for a forward-facing child seat. This development does not happen earlier, even if a child appears to have "strong neck muscles." The ability to hold up his head is not indicative of the age-related development.

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