How to Replace a Child Harness Splitter

A safe harness makes a safe and comfortable car seat.

Keeping a child safe and comfortable in a safety or booster seat is a vital part of parenting. Over time, the splitter plate must be adjusted to accommodate a growing child. And, occasionally, the splitter plate must be replaced to comply with recall or other safety notices. While it may seem daunting, it's not rocket science and changing the harness splitter plate is something any parent or caregiver can do.

Things You'll Need

• Car seat
• Harness
• Replacement splitter plate

Instructions

1. Locate the harness splitter plate. The harness splitter is on the back of the car seat. Depending on the model, it may be silver or it may be painted. The splitter plate may have one slot for the harness straps or it may have two. The easiest way to find the splitter plate is to follow the shoulder straps from the point where they come through the back of the car seat. The metal plate that joins the two shoulder straps to the adjustable base strap is the harness splitter plate. The bottom of the splitter plate is sewn into a length of webbing. This is the other end of the strap used to tighten the harness when the child is in the car seat.

2. Slide the shoulder harness free of the slots. The top of the splitter plate will have either one or two slots. These slots slip into loops sewn into the shoulder harness webbing. Take a moment to inspect the shoulder harness webbing. If the webbing is frayed or cut, stop using the car seat and contact the manufacturer.

3. Pull the strap at the bottom of the splitter plate. Depending on the model, it may be necessary to press the button or latch used to loosen the straps and remove the child. Pull the strap free of the car seat.

4. Thread the strap of the new splitter plate through the newly vacant hole at the bottom of the car seat.

5. Slide the shoulder straps into the slots at the top of the plate. Pull firmly on the straps to insure that the straps are securely fastened.

Tips & Warnings

• The webbing, plastic and other materials used in the car seat can be damaged by age, sun and heat. So before changing the splitter plate in any car seat, check the expiration date of the item. This can usually. be found on the manufacturers label. If the seat has expired, it should not be used to protect a child.

• Be sure to test all the straps and make sure that they are securely attached before putting a child in the seat.