| Most safety inspections find that children | | | | confident that you know how to install the |
| are improperly secured in car seats. Without | | | | seat. |
| proper restraint, your child can be seriously | | | | |
| injured in the event of an accident. Knowing | | | | When fastening an infant or convertible seat |
| a little about child restraints can help you | | | | with harness straps, you should place your |
| ensure that your child stays safe in the car. | | | | knee in the seat while fastening your car's |
| | | | restraining belt to ensure a snug fit. You |
| Shopping For A Car Seat | | | | should not be able to move the seat any more |
| | | | than one inch in any direction. |
| The first step in choosing a car seat is | | | | |
| determining your child's current height and | | | | If your seat has a tether strap, use it. |
| weight. This will tell you which type of | | | | Newer model cars have an anchored hook in the |
| seat is appropriate for your child. These | | | | backseat for securing a tether strap. |
| restrictions are usually listed on the | | | | |
| outside of the box for easy access. You may | | | | Don't allow straps to become twisted or |
| want to invest in a convertible type seat | | | | frayed. Inspect them periodically for wear |
| that can be adapted to fit your child as they | | | | and damage. |
| grow, but never rush to advance your child | | | | |
| into the next seat before they meet the | | | | Securing Your Child |
| height and weight requirements. | | | | |
| | | | The retainer clip of a safety harness should |
| Another important factor in choosing a seat | | | | be fastened so that it is level with your |
| is making sure that it will fit the backseat | | | | child's armpits. The harness straps should |
| of your vehicle. Purchasing a seat that is | | | | protrude from the seat level with your |
| too large for your car or one that does not | | | | child's shoulders or just below them. |
| fit the slope of your back seats without | | | | |
| tipping up, is not safe. A seat should fit | | | | All children should be secured in the |
| into the backseat, with enough room to get | | | | backseat. And never use a car seat near an |
| the child in and out easily. The child seat | | | | air bag. |
| should rest squarely on the seat of the | | | | |
| vehicle, not at an angle. Using pillows or | | | | Children younger than 12 months should be |
| blankets to prop up the car seat is not safe. | | | | placed in a rear facing car seat. |
| | | | |
| Do not buy a second hand car seat. It may be | | | | Toddlers who are secured with your vehicle's |
| missing vital components, or may have been | | | | seat belt and a booster seat, should have a |
| involved in a crash previously. Once a seat | | | | shoulder belt as well. The belt should be |
| is involved in a crash, it can have stress | | | | placed snugly across your child's hips and |
| cracks that would cause the seat to splinter | | | | routed correctly through the seat before |
| in a second collision. | | | | being fastened. |
| | | | |
| Installing Your Car Seat | | | | Securing your child properly will help keep |
| | | | them safe. Taking a few moments to check over |
| All car seats come with an owner's manual. | | | | your child's safety restraint can save their |
| It is important to read it, even if you feel | | | | life. |