Car Seat Safety: Protecting Your Most Precious Cargo
Ensure your child is safe on every journey with proper car seat selection and installation.
Total Vehicle Safety
A safe car seat is only part of the equation. Ensure your vehicle’s tires, brakes, and safety systems are in top condition for your family’s next trip.
Find a Location & ScheduleThe Importance of Proper Installation
Studies show that nearly 50% of car seats are installed incorrectly. A properly used car seat can reduce the risk of fatal injury by up to 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers. Safety starts with choosing the right seat for your child’s age, weight, and height, and ends with a secure, correct installation in your vehicle.
Critical Safety Guidelines:
- The Right Seat: Move from rear-facing to forward-facing, and then to a booster seat, only when your child reaches the maximum weight or height limits allowed by the manufacturer.
- The “Inch Test”: Once installed, the car seat should not move more than one inch in any direction (side-to-side or front-to-back) when pulled at the belt path.
- The “Pinch Test”: Harness straps should be snug. If you can pinch any slack in the strap at the child’s shoulder, the harness is too loose.
- Chest Clip Placement: The chest clip should always be positioned at armpit level to keep the harness straps in the correct position on the shoulders.
- Avoid Heavy Coats: Bulky winter coats can compress during a crash, leaving the harness too loose. Buckle your child in without the coat and place a blanket over them for warmth instead.
- Check Expiration Dates: Plastic degrades over time. Always check the manufacturer’s label for the “Do Not Use After” date.
When to Upgrade
Don’t rush the transition. Keeping your child in a rear-facing seat for as long as possible (often up to age 2 or older) provides the best protection for their head, neck, and spine. Similarly, most children need a booster seat until they are at least 4’9″ tall to ensure the vehicle’s seat belt fits across the strongest parts of their body.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do car seats expire?
A: Yes. Most car seats expire 6 to 10 years after the date of manufacture. Over time, the plastic can degrade due to heat and cold, and safety standards evolve. You can find the expiration date on a label on the back or bottom of the seat.
Q: Is it safe to buy a used car seat?
A: It is generally not recommended to use a second-hand car seat unless you know its full history. A seat that has been in a moderate to severe accident must be replaced, even if there is no visible damage.
Q: What is the ‘Pinch Test’ for car seat straps?
A: The pinch test ensures the harness is tight enough. After buckling your child, try to pinch the webbing at the shoulder. If you can pinch any excess material between your fingers, the straps are too loose and need to be tightened.
Total Vehicle Safety
A safe car seat is only part of the equation. Ensure your vehicle’s tires, brakes, and safety systems are in top condition for your family’s next trip.
Find a Location & Schedule
