by Marilyn Morris
Child Advocacy Specialist
A few weeks before my first grandson was due, I suggested to my son that he call the hospital to learn how to correctly install the baby’s car seat. My son gave me that “Seriously?” look and said. “Mom, I’m in medical school, I think I can figure out how to install a car seat.” He tried and a few days later made an appointment with the car seat squad at Primary Children’s Medical Center.
If you have ever had problems installing a car seat you may have felt his pain. Why are car seats so hard to use? You would think that minds smart enough to figure out how to dock a shuttle to a space station, or deliver multi-flavors to your soft drink could figure out a fool-proof way to easily install and use a car seat. And yet, at community check points all across the country 4 out of 5 car seats are found with mistakes - some minor, but some with very dangerous safety problems.
So what are the big “No No’s” of car seat installation and use? Below is our Top Ten list of the most common car seat mistakes we see at Primary Children’s.
10. Using a Seat that Doesn’t Fit the Child.
We have seen a 2 year-old in an infant-only seat and an 18 month-old in a booster seat. Always read and follow manufacturer’s instructions to learn the specific weight and height range for that seat. Remember to keep toddlers rear-facing until 2 years and 30 pounds.
9. Car Seats that are “Creatively” Installed.
Car seats should not be tied down with bungee cords, duct taped, screwed to wood platforms or wire supports, wedged between captain chairs, or installed upside down. Also, do not ask us how to install a car seat in a boat, on a bike or on a horse.
8. Using Both the Seat Belt and the LATCH. (Lower Anchors and Tether for Children)
Logically it does seem that if one system is safe, then two are better, but with car seats this isn’t the case. Just use the system that allows the best installation. Either way, always use the tether strap with LATCH or the seat belt when installing a seat forward-facing. We call this the Triangle of Safety.
7. Using an Expired or Recalled Seat.
Unfortunately, car seats do expire. While it is tempting to think that manufacturers just want to sell more seats, think about a computer. Does one made 10 years ago really work just fine? Technology and safety features are constantly improving.
6. Using a Seat that was Bought at a Yard Sale or Thrift Store.
Would you jump with a cheap parachute your mom picked up at a yard sale? A second-hand seat is fine to use, but only if you know its history. Does it have the instruction manual and all the parts? Do you know whether it has been in a crash? Why put a child at risk to save a buck?
5. Using LATCH in the Center, when only the Outboard Positions are Approved.
Since the center position is often suggested as the safest place to install a car seat, check to see if your vehicle allows the use of LATCH in the center. If not, and you want to use the center position, just use the seat belt. Some vehicles say it’s ok to use the inner LATCH anchors for a center install, but always read the owner’s manual to make sure this is allowed.
4. Using Products that Didn’t Come with the Seat.
Grandmas love to buy cute, snuggly positioning items for new babies. But the rule is: If it didn’t come with the seat, don’t use it. While these products may look great, they could put your baby at serious risk in a crash when the cushions compress and your baby is no longer snugly secured in her harness. Some products will state that they are “crash-tested,” but currently there are no federal guidelines for testing these kinds of products. Also, Remember that cute toys hanging on the handle of your infant seat can become weapons of destruction in a crash!
3. Not Using Booster Seats Until the Child is about 4’9.”
Seat belts are made for adults so until a child is tall enough to have the lap belt lie across his strong hip bones and the shoulder belt lie across his collar bone, he should sit a booster – one with a back if the car does not have a head rest.
2. The Car Seat is too Loose in the Car.
A car seat should not move more than 1 inch from side to side or forward when pulled at the belt path. On the other hand, if the whole car shakes when you pull on the seat, it’s too tight.
The #1 Most Common Mistake We See is:
Using harness straps incorrectly. Harness straps go at or below the shoulders in a rear-facing seat and at or above the shoulders in a forward-facing seat. The straps should be snug so that you can’t pinch any slack in the webbing over the shoulders. The chest clip should be at armpit level.
The most often asked question we get is: “Which car seat is the best to buy?” The answer:
The best car seat is the one that fits your vehicle, your budget, your child and that you will use properly each time your child rides in the car.
Car seats can be tricky, but at Primary Children’s we have you covered. If you need help, or just want us to double-check your work, we have certified Child Passenger Safety technicians who can help. Simply call, 801-662-2277 with your questions or to make an appointment. Our appointment times are M-F from 9 am – 3:30 pm at our main hospital, or on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 2 -5 pm at our Riverton Outpatient facility.
This is a really great article. #9 made me laugh out loud
Sad to know that #9 happens a lot! I could tell some good stories just from Saturday’s check event.
If you are in an accident with an expired car seat and the product malfunctions can the insurance company refuse your claim? just something I have wondered about
I would hope that it never happens to anyone
I’ve had two accidents, one when my child wasn’t in the car and one when both kids were in the car. The first time, my child wasn’t in the car I only had one car seat. But the second time, I had two kids. Both seats were Britax and were around $300 each! But the insurance company paid for both of them, no problem!
Janice, I am not aware of any case in Utah where an insurer refused coverage of injuries because of an expired seat. I talked with a claims adjustor who said he had never seen that situation arise. He did say that some insurances may refuse to replace an expired seat after a crash because it’s market value would already be zero.
In neighboring states, Colorado, Arizona, and California there is a law which allows the “Seat Belt Defense”. This is where a person injured may have his compensation reduced because he was not wearing a seat belt. He is held responsible for contributing to the severity of his injuries. I suppose a lawyer could make the case that using an expired seat could contribute to injuries, too. Hopefully, no one will want to take that chance.