Car accidents are the number-one cause of accidental death for children from age 1 through their teens, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Making sure that your child's car seat is properly installed is one of the best ways to minimize your child's risk of being seriously injured in a car accident.
Types
There are several different types of car seats, and choosing the right one for your child is the first step toward ensuring that your car seat is correctly installed. If your child is younger than 1 or weighs less than 30 lbs., she'll need a rear-facing car seat. Once children are older than 1 and weigh more than 30 lbs., they can switch to a front-facing car seat. By the time they weigh about 40 lbs., children can switch to a booster seat. States have different laws regarding how long children need to be in a booster seat, but some require children to be at least 80 lbs. and 8 years old before they can ride without a car seat.
Identification
Choose car seats with the LATCH system, or lower anchors and tethers for children, which is designed to make car seat installation easier. The LATCH system lets you securely anchor your car seat between your car's back cushions and tethers your seat to your car's frame. If your car was made after September 1, 2002, it should have the LATCH system, but if it was made before that, you will have to use a seatbelt to secure your car seat.
Misconceptions
The most common mistake people make when they install their car seat is thinking that they have secured it tightly enough, according to the National Institutes for Health. If your car seat can move more than an inch in any direction, it's not secure enough.
Considerations
Car seats are notoriously difficult to install, and directions for installation vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. The best way to make sure your car seat is successfully installed is to follow the directions in the car seat literature step-by-step and to call the company's toll-free number if there is anything that seems confusing.
Expert Insight
One of the best ways to make sure your car seat is safely installed is to get it checked by a professional. Many local police and fire departments host free car seat safety checks periodically throughout the year, so check your community paper's calendar for events in your area or visit seatcheck.org to find certified child passenger technicians near you.
