Car Seat FAQ

How tight should the harness be on my child?

The harness should be one finger snug at the child’s collarbone.  The harness retainer clip should be at armpit level.  The only time the harness is too tight is if you get your child out and they have red marks on them.  The harness should be tight and restrictive.  It’s function is to keep the child in the car seat.  

Is my carseat tight enough?

If you can move it side-to-side or front to back more than one inch then it is not tight enough.  

How can I make my carseat fit tighter in my vehicle?

By knowing the type of seat belt system in your vehicle and how it locks is one step.  By putting your weight in the seat while someone else buckles and tightens the belt is another step.  

When can I turn my child around?

Because of neck and spine development, a child should not be turned around until after the age of one and weighs 20 pounds.  If your seat allows for rear facing and your child has not reached the weight limit, it is better not to turn your child around.  

Where is the best place to put my car seat?

The middle is the first choice but if the seat cannot get tight then either side is fine.  One side is not better than the other.  

What is the best car seat?

The simplest and least expensive model usually will work as well as one with fancy features.  Choose a seat that you find easy to use and that fits in your vehicle. Before you buy a seat, try it in your car to make sure it fits and can be buckled in tightly.  If you choose a convertible seat, try it facing both rearward and forward. Look for the seat you can use facing the rear as long as possible.  Read the labels to check weight limits.  If you buy an infant-only seat, you will need a convertible seat later.  Most babies need to use rear-facing convertible seats, as they get larger, because they outgrow their infant-only seats before age one.  Some products are made to carry a baby over 20 pounds facing the rear.  Look for a seat with a higher weight limit when you shop. A 5-point harness is preferred by many safety experts because the lap part of the harness fits over the child’s strong hipbones.  This kind of harness can be adjusted to fit snugly on both very small infants and larger children.  However, the straps may twist and tangle.  Keep the straps flat for maximum protection.

What is a tether?

A tether anchors the top of a car seat to the body of the vehicle.  All forward facing car seats should come equipped with a tether after Jan. of 2000.  

What does a tether do?

A tether holds the top of the car seat in place so that the seat does not cause the child to go forward anymore than their weight will allow in a crash.  

When should my child be out of a car seat?

Your child should stay in a car safety seat with a full harness until the seat is outgrown, usually at about 40 pounds.  When a child’s shoulders are above the top set of strap slots, it is time for a booster seat. Booster seats protect the child’s upper body with the shoulder belt.  The booster also raises the child so the vehicle lap/shoulder belt fits will.

Why use a booster seat instead of a safety belt?

Most 40-pound children are not big enough to fit lap and shoulder belts properly. A belt that rides up on the tummy could cause serious injury. The adult lap and shoulder belt normally does not fit a child until they are about 4’9” tall and weigh approx. 80 pounds. Many young children do not sit still enough or straight enough to keep lap belts low across their thighs.  Boosters are comfortable for children because they allow their legs to bend normally.  This also reduces slouching, one cause of poor lap belt fit.

Which booster is best?

The belt-positioning booster is the best choice if your car has combination lap/shoulder belts in the rear seat. Use a booster with a high back if there is no head restraint for the child.  The booster with a high back and a removable harness provides the most options in many vehicles.  Check the label for the weight limit on the harness.

How can you make a shoulder belt fit better?

The shoulder belt should stay on the shoulder and be close to the child’s chest. If you have the kind of shoulder belt that stays loose when it is pulled out, make sure there is no more than one inch of slack.  Too much slack will prevent the belt from working well.  Teach your child to tug at the shoulder belt to take up excess slack. If the shoulder belt fits so poorly that it goes across the neck or face, raise the child with a belt-positioning booster. Never put a shoulder belt under the child’s arm or behind the back.  Either of these kinds of misuse could cause serious injury in a crash.

Warning: Some devices advertised to improve belt fit for older children and adults are not covered by government standards.  They may help with shoulder belt comfort but may put too much slack in the shoulder belt or cause the lap belt to ride up.  Boosters are a better solution for children who fit in them.

While these tips may be very useful, the Pacific County Safety Taskforce suggests you have a certified child passenger safety technician inspect you child’s seat!  Certified technicians are available twice a year at All Season's Kidstuff and by calling the Long Beach Police Department (360) 642-3416.