How to Fix an Improperly Installed Child Car Seat

Studies show that over one-half of all child car seats are improperly installed in the United States. Your local police or fire station most likely has a trained inspector who will check your car seat for free. Although installing a car seat may seem like a simple thing, many factors figure into a good fit, and not all car seats fit well in all car models. Use the following steps as a guideline, but make an appointment to get your car seat inspected by a trained professional.

Difficulty:

Moderately challenging

Instructions

1. Buy a car seat or booster seat appropriate for your child's current weight and age. Do not buy a used car seat. It may not have been designed for today's more stringent specifications.

2. Call the manufacturer or visit its Web site to make sure your car seat has not had any safety recalls.

3. Read the owner's manual and instruction book that came with your car seat. Many manufacturers list a toll-free number you can call for help installing your seat.

4. Place the car seat in the proper place and direction. Infants must always be placed in rear-facing car seats until they are at least 1 year old and 20 lbs. (9 kg). Babies younger than 1 year old and more than 20 lbs. (9 kg) should ride in a rear-facing seat approved for heavier babies until at least 1 year old. Children more than 40 lbs. (18 kg) should always ride in a booster seat until at least 8 years old. The middle of the backseat is the safest place for a car seat or booster seat.

5. Thread the seat belt through the designated slots and snap the seat belt together. Tighten the seat belt before and during this process.

6. Push the car seat firmly against the seat.

7. Ask a friend to lean down on or sit on the car seat while you tighten the belt as tight as possible.

8. Use the locking clip that came with the car seat if you have an over-the-shoulder seat belt or the kind that locks up only when jerked hard. The locking clip secures the shoulder belt to the lap belt.

9. If the seat belt is connected to the door frame, you may need a tether, which you can have installed at a car dealership.

10. Make sure the car seat cannot move more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) in any direction. If it does, push it against the back of the seat and lean down on it while tightening and refastening the seat belt.

11. Have a car-seat inspector check your installation.

Tips & Warnings

• For a list of facilities in your area that inspect car seats, call the Safe Kids Coalition at [phone], or call your local fire or police department.

• Most states have laws requiring children to ride in a booster seat once they are too big for their car seat. Age and weight requirements vary from state to state. Visit www.safekids.org to find out about laws and regulations in your state.

• There is a very effective product called Mighty Tite. It's a seat belt tightener that uses a simple ratcheting system to tighten and secure the seat belt holding the child car seat.

• Never put a child car seat in the front seat.

• Do not use a car seat that has been in an accident.