How to Wear a Seatbelt Properly
Seat belts prevent injuries resulting from being thrown around the inside of a car, or from ejection from a car during an accident. To be most protected, however, you must wear a seat belt properly. Improper use of a seat belt will not protect you as well in an accident and may cause some seat belt-related injuries. In some states, such as Michigan, it is even illegal not to wear a seat belt properly.
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Instructions
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Pull the seat belt out from its holder, across your body and slip the buckle into place until it clicks. Give the seat belt a gentle tug to make sure it is fastened securely.
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Adjust the shoulder harness so that it is situated correctly across your torso. According to Michigan.gov, it should be snug across the chest but not near the neck or face. Sit upright in the seat and adjust the seat until the seatbelt fits as it should. Children may require booster seats for the belt to fit as intended.
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Adjust the lap belt so that it lies low across the hips--not the stomach. In an accident, the hip bones can safely handle more force than your internal organs.
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Wear both the shoulder strap and the lap belt. Do not place the shoulder strap behind you or under your arm. The lap belt might prevent you from being ejected, but it won't prevent your head or upper body from hitting the dashboard or steering wheel. A shoulder harness worn alone won't prevent you from sliding out beneath it, according to Oklahoma State University.
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Tips & Warnings
Pregnant women also should wear seat belts. The March of Dimes suggests placing the lap belt under the belly across the hips, and the shoulder harness between the breasts and to the side of the belly.
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- Photo Credit seat belt receptacle image by Albert Lozano from Fotolia.com
