8.3 Car Seat Installation

When you have a baby, one of the most important things you can do is make sure they are properly secured in a car seat. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and by 54% for toddlers.

There are different types of car seats available, so it is important to choose the one that is right for your child’s age and size. It is also important to make sure the car seat is installed properly.

The NHTSA provides the following guidelines for car seat installation:

– Read both the car seat instructions and your vehicle owner’s manual before installing the seat.

– Make sure the car seat is appropriate for your child’s age, weight, and height.

– Place the car seat in the back seat of your vehicle.

– Use the car seat’s harness system to secure your child in the seat.

– Make sure the harness is snug against your child’s body and that the chest clip is positioned at armpit level.

– If you are using a forward-facing car seat with a harness, make sure the harness is positioned at or above your child’s shoulders.

– If you are using a booster seat, make sure the lap belt is positioned low across your child’s hips and that the shoulder belt fits snugly across the middle of your child’s chest and shoulder.

By following these guidelines, you can help ensure that your child is properly secured in their car seat and that they are as safe as possible while riding in your vehicle.