Child Car Seat Installation Requirements
A properly installed child car seat is essential for safety. Many parents don't understand the components of proper child car seat installation, which may put their children at risk for serious injury or death in the case of a car accident. Always check the child car seat owner's manual for specific guidelines for installation. Free car seat safety clinics allow you to have a professional check your car seat for proper installation (see Resources).
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Rear-Facing
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A child car seat should remain rear-facing until the child is at least 1 years old and weighs at least 20 lbs. Many child car seat experts now recommend that a child car seat remain rear-facing until the child reaches the weight limit due to risk of head and spine injuries in a crash. Many child car seats have a rear-facing weight limits of 30 to 35 lbs.
Seat Belt
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The seat belt, or LATCH system, holding the car seat should be tight. When you grab the base of the child car seat, it should not move more than 1 inch from side to side or from front to back.
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Position in Car
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The center of the back seat is generally the safest position for a child car seat in case of a side impact accident. If the child car seat does not fit well in the center, any back seat position is appropriate.
Tilt
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A rear-facing child car seat for infants may recline up to 45 degrees. Forward-facing car seats should not be reclined.
Airbags
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A child car seat should be installed in the back seat unless there is no other option. Placing a child car seat in the front with an airbag can cause serious injury or death. Some child car seats specifically prohibit such use. Check the child car seat owner's manual for specifics on using it near an airbag.
Harness Slots
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On a rear-facing child car seat, use the harness slot at or slightly below the child's shoulders. For forward-facing car seats, use the slot at or slightly above the child's shoulders. Always check the car seat manual to confirm these recommendations.
Harness Tightness
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The harness straps should be snug without being uncomfortable for your child. The general recommendation is that you should not be able to put more than one finger between the strap and your child's shoulder. The harness chest clip should rest across the chest at arm pit level.
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