There’s no piece of child safety equipment more important than a car seat. Every year in the United States, tens of thousands of kids under 12 are injured in automobile accidents, and many of them die. In fact, car crashes are the leading cause of death among children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, car seats can reduce the chance of death by up to 71%.
But why do so many parents get it wrong when it comes to car seats, which are critical and seemingly easy to use? One study suggests that around 75% of parents make some mistake when installing or using a car seat, even if it’s something as minor as not tightening the harness enough.
There are two factors at play here: misinformation and the fact that car seats, no matter how simple the concept, can be frustrating. Not every parent was told not to put a child wearing a winter coat into a car seat, or to read the manual to identify where to position the chest clip. And let’s face it, parenting is a learn-on-the-fly kind of job. On the other hand, car seats can be difficult to position, tweak, or tighten properly, even for the most conscientious parents. That’s why certified child passenger safety (CPS) technicians exist, and why police and fire departments will check or install a car seat for you.
With all that in mind, here are seven common car seat mistakes to avoid:
Installing the Car Seat Improperly
Car seats may seem easy to install, but they can be difficult to install correctly. A few common errors include positioning the seat at the wrong angle, using the wrong belt (lap or shoulder), or belt path, and not securing the seat tight enough. If it wiggles more than an inch on either side, it’s not tight enough. Unlike wearing both suspenders and a belt to keep up a pair of pants, using the latch and seatbelt simultaneously to secure a car seat is not the most secure decision. Just the opposite. Be sure to follow the manual for proper installation, and if there are any questions, the National Highway Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA) maintains a list of local spots where you can have a car seat checked.
Turning the Car Seat Around Too Soon
The American Association of Pediatrics recommends that parents keep infants and toddlers in rear-facing car seats until they’re at least 2 years old or exceed the height and weight limits allowed by the car seat manufacturer. So does the NHTSA. So does pretty much every group that advocates for child car safety, like Kids in Danger and Safe Kids. So does science and the laws of basic physics. The only people who don’t appear to recommend this are the 40% of parents who aren’t aware of the recommendations, want to see their child’s face, or can’t be inconvenienced with having to turn a toddler around to put them into a rear-facing seat (admittedly, it can be a pain).
Legroom, by the way, doesn’t need to play a part in the decision to turn a child around either. As long as the child fits under the upper weight or height limit of the car seat, and their head is below the line, they can continue to ride rear-facing—it doesn’t matter how high up the back of seat their legs have to be propped. As some parents say, it’s better to have a broken leg than a broken spine.
Not Fastening the Car Seat Top Tether
One of the least-known safety features on a car seat, at least according to surveys, is the top tether. So, before you start driving with your child in the car seat, make sure the top tether is securely fastened according to the car seat manufacturer’s instructions. You can find out how to properly attach the top tether in the car seat’s user manual. If you no longer have the manual, you can usually find it online on the manufacturer’s website.
Leaving the Car Seat Shoulder Harnesses Too Loose
Leaving the shoulder harnesses too loose, or not positioning the chest clip at armpit level, tends to be done more out our care than negligence. Nobody wants to hurt their infant or listen to a toddler yell, “Too tight! Too tight!” It’s important, though, that the shoulder straps sit untangled and flush on the child’s chest and be as snug as possible without actually hurting them.
To check the tightness, use the pinch method. If there’s any slack in the shoulder harness when you pinch it with your thumb and forefinger, it needs tightening. Make sure the chest clip is positioned at armpit level and that the shoulder harness is flat on your child’s chest. The chest clip should not be too high or too low as this can result in injury in the event of an accident.
Dressing Children in Bulky Winter Coats
Another common mistake often made by parents who may not live in a cold-weather climate is putting a baby or toddler in a car seat wearing a puffy winter coat or snowsuit. It’s a bit of an optical illusion, but while the child may seem to fit snugly in the seat with the coat on, there’s actually on average an extra four inches of space between their body and the harness, thanks to the fill of the jacket. That extra space is enough to render the seat practically useless and can lead to a child flying right out of it in a crash.
Instead, dress your child in thinner layers and put a blanket or coat over the harness straps after securing your child in the car seat. If your child is still cold, you can use a car seat cover or a bunting that goes over the car seat. Make sure to remove any blankets or extra layers when you get to your destination or if the car heats up.
Transitioning to a Booster Seat Too Soon
The final mistake parents often make is transitioning their child to a booster seat too soon. Many parents believe that once their child reaches a certain age or weight, they can move on from a car seat to a booster seat. However, booster seats are not designed to keep children safe in the same way that car seats do.
A booster seat is designed to elevate your child so that they can use the car’s seat belt safely. However, booster seats do not provide the same protection as a car seat and are not suitable for children who are too small or too young. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children remain in a car seat with a five-point harness until they reach the maximum weight or height allowed by the manufacturer.
In conclusion, car seats are crucial to keeping your child safe while driving, but they are only effective if they are used and installed correctly. Take the time to read the car seat manual and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. If you’re unsure about how to install or use the car seat, seek help from a certified child passenger safety technician. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can help ensure that your child is as safe as possible while in the car.
