How to Use a 5 Point Safety Harness

Use a five-point safety harness to keep your little one safe in the car.

Five-point safety harnesses are the safest option for restraining your child in the car before he is ready for a booster seat. This type of restraint distributes force to different areas of your child's body in the event of a crash. Use a five-point harness in the rear-facing position until he outgrows the rear-facing weight limit, then use it in the forward-facing position until he outgrows the seat. Some manufacturers make five-point harness safety seats that hold children as heavy as 80 pounds.

Things You'll Need

• Five-point harness child safety seat

Instructions

1. Place the child in the safety seat. Check to make sure that her buttocks are touching the back of the seat, and that she is not slouching forward.

2. Place your child's arms through the shoulder straps. If the straps are too tight to comfortably maneuver her arms through, loosen them temporarily by following the directions in your car seat manual.

3. Close the harness clip at your child's chest. It should be at the level of her armpits, and should not touch her neck or slide down toward her abdomen.

4. Click the latches into the crotch strap. Double check to make sure that the belts are not twisted at all.

5. Tighten the harness snugly. You should only be able to fit two fingers between your child's collarbone and the harness straps.

Tips & Warnings

• Have your child safety seat checked by a certified car safety technician to make sure that you are using it properly. Call your local fire department or police station for contact information.

References

• CPSafety: Five-Point Harness or Shield - Choosing a safer seat
• CarSafety.org: Car Seat Basics: Selection and Use