Car Seat Safety

Properly installing and using a car seat can be challenging.

Before you begin, always consult the car seat manufacturer's instructions and the owner's manual for your vehicle. Not all car seats and vehicles follow the same installation instructions.

If you’d like our experts to make sure your car seat is installed correctly, just call or email for an appointment. Our Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will inspect your car seat to help keep your child safe. Please note: appointments must be made in advance.

Child Passenger Safety Tips and Common Questions

Here are answers to some of the most common questions asked about car seats as well as some great tips on the use of car seats and other child passenger safety.

Common Questions | Car Seat Fit & Harness | Installation Tips & Guides

Common Questions

Is there anything I should avoid?

There is a massive market for aftermarket accessories for car seats, but just because its available doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. We would not recommend the use of any product that is not specifically approved for use with your exact seat by your seats manufacturer.

This is because these products have not been crash tested with your seat, so the manufacturers do not know how they may interact with you seat or your child in the event of a collision. Here are a few products we would recommend thinking twice about:

• Mirrors: Headrest mounted mirrors are often a favorite among parents; however, in some collisions, children actually end up colliding with those mirrors causing head and facial injuries
• Seat Covers: Seat Covers (or seat protectors) are another commonly sold accessory to car seats. Unfortunately, very few are approved to be used with car seats as they often cause far too much movement in the event of a collision or over time.
• Additional Padding: Adding additional cushions or padding to your child’s seat, aside from what is approved by the manufacture, can be very dangerous as it can compact or flatten in a collision causing the straps to become less secure.
• Hanging Toys: Toys hanging from the carry handle of an infant carrier or any possible obstructions can be hazardous to children secured in a car seat. These can be either choking or suffocation hazards in some cases and even impact hazards if they swing and strike children in the event of a collision.

How long can my child be in the car seat at one time?

The two-hour rule: Most car seat manufacturers and child passenger safety professionals recommend that children not remain in car seats for more than two hours at a time. This is due to the strain on the baby’s development, as well as restrictions on airflow.

When traveling, research suggests stopping every two hours and taking baby out of the seat, even if it means waking baby. The same would apply when bringing baby into the home after being in the car. A flat cleared surface such as a crib is the safest place for baby to sleep.

Is my car seat still safe after crash?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends car seats be replaced after a moderate to severe crash, not after a minor one.

A minor crash is one where ALL of the following apply:

• The vehicle can still be driven
• The door nearest the car seat was not damaged
• No passengers were injured
• Air bags did not deploy
• There is no visible damage to the car seat

Never use a car seat that was involved in a moderate to severe crash. Follow this link for more info: https://www.nhtsa.gov/car-seats-and-booster-seats/car-seat-use-after-crash.

Can I wash my car seat?

Let’s face it, car seats can get a bit dirty. Most car seats can be stripped and the cloth coverings can be hand washed, refer to your manual for those details. Something to always remember is to NEVER submerge your straps and webbing (harness, belts, etc.) in water. These need to stay as dry as possible, so use a damp rag or wipe instead. Avoid using a hose to clean car seats or leaving them out to get wet, all of these things can cause the car seat to deteriorate faster.

Is it safe to buy used?

It may be tempting to purchase a used car seat from a garage sale or second-hand store; however, it’s not recommended. It’s nearly impossible to learn if the seat has been involved in a crash or not properly maintained, so you can’t know the seat will protect your child should you have an accident. If you choose to purchase a used car seat, it may be safe to use if it:

• Has never been in a moderate to severe crash
• Has labels that are present with date of manufacture and model number
• Has no recalls – search for recalls here
• Is not expired (expiration date may be found on model number sticker or stamped in the plastic of the back of the seat. If no expiration date is found, do not use the seat beyond six years from the manufacture date)
• Has all of its parts, including the instruction manual

Do car seats expire?

All safety devices expire, and car seats are no different. Most typically expire within six years of being manufactured, though some newer seats can last 10 years.

You can often find the manufacturers sticker on the back or underside of the car seat, it may include an expiration date or at least a manufactured date. If your manual does not indicate the expiration date you can also contact your manufacturer directly.

Has my seat been recalled?

Unfortunately, sometimes car seats can be recalled by the manufacturer. Reasons for this may vary, but it’s always a good idea to register any new seats immediately so you are notified of any possible issues should they arise. You can search for recalls here (link https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls ).

When can my child move to a seatbelt?

When considering moving your child from booster to a seatbelt consider the seatbelt fit test. Remember that these results may vary from vehicle to vehicle.

Seatbelt Fit Test:

• When sitting fully back in the seat, do the child’s knees hang off the seat comfortably?
• Is the seatbelt placed across the hips, not stomach?
• Is the shoulder belt laying across the shoulder and not touching the neck or hanging off the shoulder?

View seatbelt test video.

Also note, children should remain in the back seat until age 13, this is because their bones are not developed enough to withstand the impact of an airbag until age 13.

Are winter coats safe in car seats?

It’s always best to avoid thick winter coats in car seats. Bulky and puffy coats or jackets can cause the harness to appear snug, but when force is applied, the material will flatten and compress causing baby to become loose and possible slide out of the harness straps.

Instead, consider layers and more fleece like materials. Once strapped in, you can also use blankets or even place the coat backward over the straps to keep the child warm.

Can I use a convertible seat for my newborn?

Though convertible seats typically have weight limits as low as five pounds, this does not mean that they will fit a newborn baby safely. Convertible seats may be rated for a newborn weight but the seat straps and buckle are unable to safely keep the baby secure.

Ideally, all newborns should be secured in an infant seat until they have grown enough to fill a convertible seat harness safely.