When you have a list of 47 big-ticket items to buy for your baby, a car seat can seem like yet another expensive hassle. But injuries caused by car accidents are a leading cause of death among children in the U.S., so a good car seat is the single most important piece of safety equipment you’ll purchase for your little one.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), car seats can reduce the risk of injury in a crash by 71 to 82 percent when they’re installed and used correctly. Yet the National Child Restraint Use Special Study found that car seats are misused (through incorrect installation or restraint of the child) in a whopping 59 percent of cases.

In this article, we will cover 10 dangerous car seat mistakes and how to avoid them, including:

• Using the wrong type of car seat
• Car seat installation mistakes
• Placing the car seat at the wrong angle
• Not using the car seat top tether
• Leaving the car seat harness straps too loose
• Not having your car seat checked by a professional
• Using a hand-me-down car seat
• Using the wrong car seat accessories

… and more. Scroll down to read about the most common car seat mistakes.

 

10 Car Seat Mistakes To Avoid

 

1. Moving children up to the next car seat stage too soon

 

One of the most common mistakes parents make is turning their child’s seat to face forward too soon because they think that their child has outgrown the rear-facing position or that they’ll be happier if they can see outside. But each stage is less safe than the last because it offers less protection, so the transition should never be rushed.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends keeping your child in the rear-facing position until they’re at least two years of age or they reach the weight and height limits set by the car-seat manufacturer. Although many parents worry when their child’s feet start to touch the back of the seat, the AAP says that they can comfortably and safely sit with their knees bent.

Many parents also move their children into booster seats too soon. Just because they’ve reached the booster seat’s lowest recommended height and weight doesn’t mean they’re ready for it. Keep your child in their forward-facing car seat with a five-point harness until they outgrow the manufacturer’s height and weight recommendations. This can happen anytime between the ages of 4 and 6.

 

2. Installing the car seat incorrectly

 

Loose installation is one of the most common installation mistakes parents make. Whether you’re using the LATCH anchors or vehicle seat belt, the seat shouldn’t move more than one inch forward, backward or to each side when you give it a good tug.

Other installation mistakes include using both the lower anchors of the LATCH system and the seatbelts to secure the seat, using the forward-facing belt path for rear-facing orientation and vice versa, and forgetting to put the seatbelts in lock mode (for cars made before 1997). Carefully read both the car-seat manual AND your car manual to avoid any errors.

 

3. Placing a rear-facing car seat at an incorrect recline angle

 

Most car seats come with a built-in recline indicator, but you should still read the instruction manual to ensure you’re setting it correctly. A rear-facing seat that’s too far upright can cause a baby’s head to fall forward and obstruct their breathing while a seat that’s too reclined can be less effective at protecting your little one in a crash.

 

4. Not using the car seat’s top tether

 

According to nonprofit organization Safe Kids Worldwide, 64 percent of forward-facing car seats with harnesses aren’t attached using the top tether. This is a serious concern because the tether significantly reduces the car seat’s forward motion – and the child’s risk of head injury – in the event of an accident. Research by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute also indicates that using the tether may help reduce the effects of other car-seat misuses such as loose installation or loose harnessing.

 

5. Not having the car seat checked by a professional

 

Once you’ve installed your car seat, have it checked by a certified technician who can spot critical mistakes that could save your child’s life. Inspection is usually free and you can find a list of checkpoints on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)’s website.

 

6. Placing the harness straps and chest clip at the wrong height

 

To ensure your child’s safety in a crash, the harness straps should be positioned at the correct height. For rear-facing seats, they should be at or slightly below shoulder level. For forward-facing seats, they should be at or slightly above shoulder level. The chest clip, which holds the harness in position during a collision, should be at armpit level rather than on your child’s belly or near their throat.

 

7. Leaving the harness straps too loose

 

Loose straps could cause your child to be thrown from their seat during a crash. They should be tight enough that you’re unable to pinch any harness webbing (material) between your fingers at your child’s shoulders. You should also avoid putting bulky clothing on your child that could prevent you from tightening the straps adequately.

 

8. Using a hand-me-down car seat

 

Not only could a secondhand seat have been in an accident that compromised its safety, but car seats expire about six years after their date of manufacture because they degrade over time and technology is constantly advancing. You’re better off buying a new seat to ensure that its safety standards are up to scratch.

 

9. Obeying state laws rather than federal guidelines

 

State laws tend to be laxer than the federal guidelines – and therefore not as safe for your child – so follow the federal recommendations outlined by the NHTSA.

 

10. Using accessories from another car seat brand

 

You should only use covers and cushions that have been crash-tested with your car seat and approved by the manufacturer. Placing any non-approved padding between your child and the seat or the harness straps could compromise their safety in an accident.

 

 

Continue reading…

 

• Need help choosing a car seat? Read How to choose a car seat – The Tot Guide
• Want to make sure you’re using your car seat safely in winter? Read 10 winter car safety tips