Most parents believe that they have installed their child's car seat correctly, but the shocking truth is that seven out of 10 kids are not properly restrained. Car seats are designed to save children's lives, but they can't if we aren't using them correctly. Please scroll through this list of common car seat mistakes to make sure that you are NOT making them.
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Image via Corbis
Disregarding the instructions
As many as one in five parents don't even bother reading the instructions before installing a car seat. What the what? Please don't do that. So many mistakes can be avoided just by reading the instructions.
Using old or old second hand seats
Do not get your child's car seat second hand. It may be missing parts, it may have been in an accident, it may be too old (yup, car seats have expiration dates). The savings is not worth the risk. Give your brand new baby a brand new car seat, please.
Using the wrong seat
So you got a brand new car seat, but is it the right seat for your child's size and age? Make sure you read the height, weight and age requirements. One size does not fit all in this case.
Putting the seat in the wrong place
Safety seats belong in the back seat, not the front seat. Car safety seats are not designed to be used in the front seat where air bags can cause all kinds of hurt.
Child facing the wrong way
Keep your child in the rear facing position for as long as possible, which usually means until they are 2 years old. It's safer for little ones to be in the rear facing position.
Using a recalled seat
Safety seats get recalled, but sometimes parents have no idea and let their child continue riding around in a seat that should be repaired or replaced. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration maintains a list of recalled safety seats that you can check.
The seat moves too much
If you have properly installed a safety seat, once it is secured it should NOT move more than an inch at the base. If it's moving more than that, something is wrong with the installation.
The harness straps are in the wrong slots
Check your instructions to make sure the harness straps are going though the right slots, especially if you have switched the seat from rear-facing to forward-facing.
The retainer clip is in the wrong place
The retainer clip needs to be placed across your child's chest at about armpit level. The clip keeps all the straps in the right place so that if there is an accident, your child doesn't just slip out of the straps all together.
Buckling up with bulky winter jackets on
Even if you have installed your car seat correctly, if you put your child in it while wearing a bulky winter jacket, you are still putting your child at risk. In an accident your child could end up slipping right out of their coat, harnessing and seat. Watch the video!
