Wellness Wednesday: Car Seat Safety

Every ride matters, even if you’re just headed down the road.

The greatest job I have in life is a mom to two littles ones. As a parent, car seat safety is near and dear to my heart. Car seat safety has evolved immensely over the years. As a result, even the most seasoned parent, or grandparent, may make common mistakes when installing a car seat and buckling up a small child.

In fact, on average, 46% of child safety seats are incorrectly installed or misused, but the good news is that when properly used, car seats can reduce up to 71% of fatalities, which is why educating yourself on proper car seat safety guidelines is so important!

Step 1: Research

First and foremost, it is important to research and select a car seat that works for you, your family and your vehicle. Factors to consider include your child’s:

• Age
• Height
• Weight

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a handy “Find the Right Seat” tool to help you select a car seat.

Step 2: Install

Each car seat has a different installation process. Once you have selected and purchased a car seat, start by reading the manual. Determine whether your car seat should be installed rear or forward-facing. Follow all applicable instructions to ensure the seat installation is secure. Once you have your seat properly installed within your car, it’s time to buckle that kiddo in!

Step 3: Buckle Up

Depending on the age of your child, this process will look different. But here are the basics of securing a child in their car seat:

1. Place your child in the car seat with their back flat and with their bottom in the crevice of the seat.
2. Bring the straps up over their shoulders like a backpack.
3. Buckle the bottom buckle first, followed by the chest clip.
4. Tighten the straps. Note: A common mistake many caregivers make at this next step is that they immediately move the chest clip up. However, before you move the chest clip, you want to first tighten the straps, pulling until they are snug.
5. Once the straps are snug, then move the chest clip up to armpit level.
6. Check the tightness of the straps a second time and tighten, as needed.

Tip: One of the best ways to check if the straps are properly tightened is to do the pinch test. If you can pinch and are still able to gather fabric, then the straps are still too loose.

Once your child is securely strapped in — you’re ready to take off on your adventure!

Need Some Pro Tips?

If you still aren’t sure about your car seat setup, or just want to have a professional check your work, we encourage you to visit a local child safety seat inspection station, also known as a permanent fitting station. Here you can get professional assistance from a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician or CPST. To find a CPST local to you in the state of Indiana, just follow this link.

Hopefully these tips will help you master setting up a safe, comfortable car ride for your child. Remember, every ride matters, whether it’s five minutes down the road or a full-blown road trip!