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Car Seat Safety: The Dos and Don’ts

Your new baby should come home from the hospital in an approved child safety seat and should always ride in one until he is ready for the vehicle’s seat belt system.  The three most important points to consider when choosing a child safety seat is that it fits your child, that it fits your vehicle and that you are able to use it correctly every time your child travels.

There are two options when choosing a safety seat for an infant.  An infant-only seat only rear-faces, usually fits a newborn better than a convertible seat and typically accommodates a child up to 20-22 pounds.  This type of seat with a base that can be installed and left in the vehicle can easily be used as a child carrier.  The harness will need to be tightened and loosened regularly, so it’s important to look for a seat that has an up-front harness adjustor.  A convertible seat converts from rear-facing to forward-facing and generally accommodates a child from 5-40 pounds.  This type of seat should rear-face until the child reaches the seat’s rear-facing weight limits, then can be turned forward-facing.  A convertible seat can be more economical since you only have to purchase one seat for the child up to approximately 40 pounds, but does not always fit a small infant as well and cannot be used as a carrier.

The following are guidelines for proper child safety seat installation:

  • Always read the owner’s manual for your safety seat and your vehicle. Check your seat’s manual for specific guidelines on height and weight.
  • If it is possible to safely secure your child’s seat in the rear center position, it is generally the safest place in a vehicle. 
  • NEVER place a safety seat in front of an active air bag.
  • Follow the seat’s instructions for threading the seat belt or LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system through the seat.  There are different belt paths for rear-facing and forward-facing positions on a convertible seat.
  • Get the seat installed as tightly as possible.  Put your weight in the seat while pulling the seat belt snug.
  • Check your vehicle’s manual to find out what type of seat belt system you have.  Some systems require the use of a locking clip to ensure that the seat will be held tightly at all times.  The locking clip is usually stored on the back of the safety seat.
  • A rear-facing seat should sit at a 30-45 degree angle.  If the angle is not correct, you may need to use a couple of tightly-rolled towels to prop the seat base.  Most seats have an angle guide on the side of the seat to help you position it properly.
  • When rear-facing, the harness straps should be at or below your child’s shoulders.
  • The harness straps should be as close to the child’s body as possible.  Avoid heavy coats and snow suits.  Strap the child into the seat then cover with a blanket if necessary.
  • The chest clip should be at the child’s armpit level.
  • If you have questions about your car seat installation, have it checked by a certified child passenger safety technician.

The most common mistakes that parents make include not having the seat in tight enough with the seat belt or LATCH system and not making the harness straps tight enough on the child.  The seat should not move more than one inch from side to side or front to back when pulled at the belt path and no more than two of your fingers should fit between the harness strap and the child’s body.

Do not use a hand-me-down safety seat.  It is important to know the entire history of the seat.  The reliability of a car seat is compromised when it is involved in a crash.  It may also have been recalled or have missing parts that you are unaware of or could be expired.  Safety seats expire after six years; the date of manufacture can be found on a label, usually located on the back or the bottom of the seat.

Additional points to remember when using a child safety seat:

  • Infants should rear-face until they are at least one year of age AND at least 20 pounds.  If your safety seat allows, keep the child rear-facing as long as possible, up to 18-24 months and 30-35 pounds.
  • LATCH and a seat belt with a tether (forward-facing seats only) are equally safe when used properly.  Do not use LATCH and a seat belt at the same time.
  • Register your seats with the manufacturer so you will be notified of recalls.
  • Do not use head support inserts, unless they come with the seat and are approved by the manufacturer.  Rolled towels on the sides of an infant’s head are fine.
  • Avoid plastic toys hanging from the vehicle or the safety seat; they can cause injury in a crash.
  • Do not use sunshades that pull down from a metal frame.  The frame can detach from the window and injure the child.  Use sunshades that cling to the window.


Provided by Jennifer Althardt, Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, Senior Coordinator, Community Education, St. Louis Children’s Hospital.