As a parent, there is no cargo as precious as your child. You’ve likely taken care to buy a car seat that will offer maximum protection in the case of a car accident but have you taken the time to ensure that it’s installed correctly? Read on to learn about the most important guidelines to help you keep your child as safe as possible.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Association has some guidelines
The NHTSA has come out with a few guidelines to help ensure parents know how to find the best car seat and the best ways to install it. First, they recommend reading the instructions for the car seat. Don’t guess and don’t assume that a new car seat should be installed the same way an older one was. Make sure you understand how the seat should be securely installed.
As you’re installing them, make sure you put them in the back seat. This is by far the safest place for your child to ride as accidents are much less likely to cause catastrophic injuries if the child is in the backseat.
Next, make sure that you’re looking at the manual for your vehicle. Many newer cars have lower anchors built right into the seats, which can be used to attach a car seat. An older car likely doesn’t have this but the seat belt can be used. Either way, the owner’s manual of the car will give you some good information about how your particular vehicle is set up to accommodate car seats.
Check your car seat after it’s been installed
After you have the car seat in the right location, attach it to the seat either through the lower anchors or the seat belt. Then wiggle the seat back and forth and side to side. If it moves more than one inch in any direction then it’s not secure enough. Next, adjust the angle at which it reclines. If it’s a rear-facing seat then the base of the car seat should be level. This helps prevent your child’s head from moving forward too much. Most seats will have indicators on the side to help you install them correctly.
Finally, you’ll connect the tether strap. If your seat is forward-facing then there will be another strap at the top. This is simply an added safety measure. At this point you’ll double check your car and attach and tighten the straps as necessary to help prevent your child’s head from moving if you’re in an accident.
Take extra steps when you use the car seat
There are a few things you can do when you get your child ready for their car seat. Make sure to take off any bulky clothing or unnecessary layers, put your child into the seat with their back against the seat, make sure every strap lies flat without twists or knots, make sure that straps are not too tight but are still snug, and make sure that the shoulder straps are either connected to the seat or right below your child’s shoulder.
In the event you are involved in an accident, reach out to Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.
