Car Seat Checkup
Motor vehicle crashes claim the lives of more than 12 children each week. To best protect your child, choose a safety seat that fits your vehicle, fits your child, and that you will use correctly every time.
Right Seat: This is an easy one. Check the label on your car seat to make sure it is appropriate for your child’s age, weight and height. Like milk, your car seat has an expiration date. Just double check the label on your car seat to make sure it’s still safe.
Right Place: Kids are VIPs and we know all VIPs ride in the back seat, so keep all children in the back seat until they are 13 years old. Never install a car seat in front of an air bag.
Right Direction: You want to keep your child in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible, usually until around age 2. When he or she outgrows the seat, move your child to a forward-facing car seat. Make sure to attach the top tether after you tighten and lock the seat belt or lower anchors. When snug, top tethers reduce the distance your child’s head travels in a crash and minimize the risk of injury.
Inch Test: Once your car seat is installed, give it a good shake at the base. Can you move it more than an inch side to side or front to back? A properly installed seat will not move more than an inch either direction.
Pinch Test: Make sure the harness is tightly buckled and coming from the correct slots. The straps should be positioned at or below the shoulders in a rear-facing car seat. With forward-facing seats, the straps need to be positioned at or above the shoulders. Always keep harness straps snug, straight and flat. The harness chest clip keeps the shoulder straps in the correct position. The clip should be at armpit level. Pinch the strap at your child’s shoulder—if you are unable to pinch any excess webbing, you are good to go.
Basic Safety Tips:
Position the infant seat at the correct angle (usually 30 to 45 degrees). An upright angle could force the child’s head to tilt forward and obstruct breathing. Rolled towels or foam noodles may be used at the crack of the vehicle seat to position most infant seats to the correct angle.
Not all infant seats can be installed without the base. Always check the owner’s manual to be sure.
Rolled receiving blankets on either side of the child can provide head support. Position receiving blankets from the top of the hips to the top of the head to provide support. DO NOT put rolled blankets around the head or underneath the child’s head or neck.
Remove bulky clothing or blankets before placing the child in the car seat. Never place blankets underneath or behind the child, or inside the harness system.
Always read the vehicle owner’s manual and the car seat instructions for correct installation information.
Originally published 9/22/2016, Reviewed 2/27/2024