How to Secure a Child Safety Seat

Securing a child safety seat is a time consuming process. This article will teach you all the necessary steps to secure the seat as well as your child in the seat.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Up-to-date car seat with tether straps
• 3 car seat anchors in your car
• Your child

1. Open the car door of the side of the car where your child will be seated. (See warnings regarding where to seat your child). Place car seat in desired spot.

2. Locate all of the tether anchors for your car. There should be one on either side of the car seat and one that is level with the head rest of the car seat near the back window shield. If you drive a hatchback or SUV, your tether anchor should be located behind the vehicle seat at the base of the seat. (See tips for locating tether anchors)

3. Locate your tether straps, you should have three (one for the left side anchor, one for the right side anchor and one to go behind the car seat). Thread the left and right tethers through the rear of the carseat, between the fabric and the plastic back of the carseat (make sure the strap is not twisted.

4. Attach tether strap for both sides and the rear. Locate the strap tightner, place your knee into the car seat and, using your body weight to press car seat into the vehicle seat, pull to tighten the tether straps as tight as possible.

5. Check tightness by wiggling the carseat left to right and back and forth. You should have no more than 3/4 of an inch to an inch of movement either way. If this is the case, your car seat is secure!

Tips & Warnings

• A car seat symbol should be present on vehicle seat indicating the position of a tether anchor.
• Tether straps are preferred to use as seatbelts do not always lock when being used to secure a car seat in a vehicle.
• Car seats should not be placed in the front seat of cars that have an airbag on the passenger side of the car.
• If your child can reach the door of your vehicle, engage the child safety lock.

[Diligent77]

on 12/4/2008 Thank you CARSEATMOMMA you are the expert on this matter it appears. Thank you for sharing your valuable input. That's what I like about ehow you can get a well rounded view of your subject by reading what others have to offer. Your comments are welcomed and greatly appreciated. Diligent77

[CARSEATMOMMA]

on 12/1/2008 IF YOU STILL HAVE QUESTIONS IT THE SEAT INSPECTED BY A CERTIFIED CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY TECHNICIAN IN YOUR AREA.
http://www.safekids.org/certification/
Then click on button on right side of screen that reads: Find a Technician/Instructor; you will be taken to another screen where you can enter in zip code or state for search.
Or to watch VIDEOS you can visit:
http://stokes.chop.edu/programs/carseat/
This is my two cents worth. Since I am a Trained Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician and all.

[CARSEATMOMMA]

on 12/1/2008 FIRST, YOU SHOULD ALWAYS READ the OWNERS MANUAL for the CAR SEAT & VEHICLE!!! BEFORE DOING ANYTHING!!!
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CORRECTION TO ABOVE STATEMENTS (That were NOT MADE BY ME):
They are NOT ALL referred to as tether anchors/tether straps! There is LATCH and TETHERS or SEAT BELT AND TETHERS.
If you are NOT using a seat belt to secure car seat in Vehicle, you will use LATCH anchors and Top Tethers.
LATCH anchors are found in the seat crack of the vehicle seat. Top Tethers are by the back window, behind seat or on floor behind seat depending on the type of vehicle you have.
LATCH CAN'T always be used in EVERY seating position!
READ the OWNERS MANUAL for the VEHICLE & CAR SEAT!!!
SEAT BELTS CAN WORK. READ VEHICLE OWNERS MANUAL TO SEE HOW IT LOCKS FOR CAR SEATS!
IF YOU STILL HAVE QUESTIONS IT THE SEAT INSPECTED BY A CERTIFIED CHILD PASSEN