Avoiding These 5 Common Baby Car Seat Installation Mistakes

September is Baby Safety Month, a campaign dedicated to educating parents and caregivers on everything from the safe selection and use of products to creating safe environments for infants in your home.

In light of this time, our team is focusing on the safe use and installation of car seats. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of death among children in the U.S., but many of these deaths are preventable.

Data from the agency shows that properly-installed car seats reduce the risk of injury in a crash by 71-82% for children, compared to seat belt use alone. Additionally, about 46% of car seats and booster seats are misused in a way that could reduce their effectiveness.

Here are five ways that you can ensure that your child's car seat is properly installed:

1. Tightness of the Installation. A properly-installed car seat should not be able to move one inch in either direction, side to side or outward.

2. Shoulder Strap Positions. Shoulder straps for rear-facing seats should be at or below the baby's shoulders; those for front-facing seats should be at or above.

3. Pinch Test. Once buckled, check the snugness by pinching the material by your child's shoulders; if you pinch extra webbing, it's too loose.

4. Check the Belt Path. Seats that convert from rear- to forward-facing have multiple slots for routing the seat belt; double-check the manual for accuracy.

5. Use the Top Tether. Check the car seat and vehicle manual to identify the correct anchor point and strap it tightly to the vehicle.

If you or a loved one is injured in a car accident, there are no fees and no obligations to sit down with our legal team and discuss your legal options. Contact The Edwards Law Firm at 361-698-7600 or complete an online form to schedule your free consultation today!