Some common mistakes made by new parents are:
- The shoulder straps are too high. The straps should be at or below the infant's shoulders, not above them.
- The harness straps are too loose. Only one fingerbreadth should fit between the straps and your baby. Remember, it is the harness straps which hold your baby securely in the car seat!
- The chest clip is in the wrong place. The chest clip should be positioned at the level of the the infant's armpit.
- There is too much material around or under the baby. This prevents the harness from being snug against the baby's body. Secure the infant in the seat and then place a blanket over the baby.
- The safest seating position isn't chosen. The safest place is where the car seat fits most securely. The back seat is the safest place for all children to sit.
- The car seat is improperly secured in place. You must know what kind of seat belt system (or latch system) is in your vehicle and how to lock it to secure the car seat. The car seat should not move more than an inch forward or sideways. Remember, it is the seat belt or latch system which secures the car seat in your car!
- Using a damaged car seat. If your car seat has been in a moderate or severe crash, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that child safety seats be replaced to ensure a continued high level of crash protection for child passengers.
NHTSA recommends that child safety seats do not automatically need to be replaced following a minor crash. Minor crashes are those that meet ALL of the following criteria:
- The vehicle was able to be driven away from the crash site;
- The vehicle door nearest the safety seat was undamaged;
- There were no injuries to any of the vehicle occupants;
- The air bags (if present) did not deploy; AND
- There is no visible damage to the safety seat.
If you have any questions regarding how to keep child restraints tightly secured in your vehicle, contact your vehicle customer service line.
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