How to install safety first car seat; the first car seat isn’t just for your kid. It’s also for you. As a parent, you want to make sure that you’re doing everything you can to keep your child safe in the event of an accident. One simple way to do this is by installing your car seat correctly and using a pool noodle to get the correct angle when using LATCH (lower anchors and tethers for children). Installation tips are always located in the instruction manual and video tutorials can be found online as well.
Check for recalled car seats.
To ensure that your car seat is safe, check for any recalls. Recalls typically happen due to faulty buckles or harnesses. You can find a list of recalled car seats on the government’s website, but if you aren’t sure whether your specific model is on there, it’s best to contact the manufacturer and ask them directly. If there is an issue with your car seat and it needs to be repaired or replaced, the manufacturer should pay for this service.
Read the instruction manual.
It’s important to read the instruction manual. This will help you understand how to install the seat and how to use it, as well as any important safety information. If you’re unsure of how to install or use your car seat, ask a professional for assistance.
There are many ways to install a car seat.
There are many ways to install a car seat. The important thing is that the child is secured in the seat, and that it’s installed correctly.
- Use both LATCH and seat belt.
- Use tethers if available on your vehicle.
- Use a car seat with a base.
- Use a car seat with a frame (called an infant carrier). An infant carrier positions your baby so they’re lying flat in their back, facing toward you in the front of the vehicle (not across from you). This type of carrier works best for babies who weigh between four and 20 pounds; we don’t recommend it for newborns or premature babies because their weight is too low for these carriers to provide proper protection during an accident or crash even though they may be able to hold up better than other types of seats thanks to thicker padding around them! However if one has been prescribed by your doctor then follow their instructions closely!
Always make sure the harness is snug.
The harness should be snug on your child’s shoulders, but not so tight that it is uncomfortable. The straps should fit snugly around your child’s chest, with no more than two fingers between their armpits and the straps. The buckles should be positioned at or below their shoulders to prevent strangulation if they flip over in a crash. Also ensure that there are no twists or folds in the straps; this can prevent them from tightening properly, which could lead to your child being ejected from their seat during a crash or fire emergency (which could be deadly).
If you’re unsure whether you have installed the car seat correctly, ask for help from an expert like a Child Passenger Safety Technician at Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) certified car seat check event near you!
Do not install a seat with the seat belt.
You should only use the car seat’s built-in LATCH system. Never use the vehicle’s seat belts to secure the car seat. The safety and long-term durability of your child’s car seat could be compromised by using a vehicle’s shoulder belt to install it. In addition, your child may not be properly restrained during an accident if you install the seat with a shoulder belt instead of installing it with LATCH.
Use a pool noodle to get the correct angle.
The pool noodle is used to achieve the correct angle. The pool noodle is a long, foam piece of material that allows you to place your car seat in the correct position. This will help your child feel safe and secure while they are riding in your vehicle.
Secure the car seat with LATCH (with video).
LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. The LATCH system is a way to secure your car seat with an anchor that is located on the top of your car seat, not in the bottom of the seat.
It can be confusing to install a car seat using LATCH anchors because they are not always clearly marked. If you’re having trouble figuring out where they are, take a look at our photo gallery below or check out our video tutorial on installing safety seats with LATCH anchors.
Keep kids rear-facing as long as possible.
The safest place for your child is in a rear-facing car seat. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children remain rear-facing until they reach the top height or weight limit of their convertible car seat.
Rear-facing is the position that protects the head, neck and spine best in a crash. It has been found to be significantly safer than forward facing when it comes to serious injuries such as spinal cord injury and brain injury. Rear facing seats also protect babies better in side impact crashes because they absorb more energy when there is an accident than forward-facing seats do (1).
Even if you only have one car, you can use a rear-facing seat as long as your infant can fit into it comfortably while sitting up straight with their legs bent at 90 degrees from their bodies (2).
Car seat safety is important and it’s simple when you break it down into steps.
Car seat safety is important and it’s simple when you break it down into steps.
- Read the instruction manual, which offers step-by-step instructions on how to install your car seat.
- Make sure you’re using the correct car seat for your child’s age, weight and height; otherwise, your child may not be properly protected in case of an accident. You can find this information by looking at the label on the side or bottom of your child’s car seat. It will tell you if there are any restrictions for using that particular model or brand of car seat.
- Check for recalled models: You can also check whether any particular model has been recalled by visiting safercar.gov/cpsc/carsafetylistings/search/. This website lists all known recalls since 1990 so that parents have access to this information when purchasing new vehicles or checking whether they already own one that needs replacement parts due to defects found after production ended (or even earlier).
Conclusion
So that’s it! We hope these tips help you to make sure your child is safe and secure in their car seat. Remember: this is one of the most important decisions you can make for your child. The best thing about all of these tips is that they are easy to follow, so you don’t need any special training or experience, they only take a few minutes each time and then it’s as simple as 1-2-3! We hope this article has helped you understand how to install your child’s first car seat. It’s important that parents know the best way to protect their children and keep them safe in the car!
