There's a lot more to installing a car seat than just tossing it in the backseat and fastening the buckles. In fact, some 75 percent of children in cars are not properly secured, or worse, not restrained at all. And a properly installed car seat reduces the risk of death by 71 percent for an infant involved in a car crash. Follow these tips to make sure your car seat will keep your child safe and secure.
Years ago, installing a car seat usually required complicated maneuvers with seatbelts to properly secure the seat. But almost every vehicle built after September 1, 2002 is equipped with the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system. This convenient system features anchors between the cushions and behind the seat, making it easier and simpler to safely secure a car seat.
Yet studies still show that most car seats are not installed correctly. This is especially important because vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Start with the Manual
To correctly install a car seat, start at the beginning: thoroughly read the car seat's manual-and make sure you fully understand the directions. It sounds basic, but each model of a child safety seat is different and the manual is the best way to learn its dos and don'ts.
Register Your Seat
Mail the seat's registration card back. The information you provide allows the manufacturer to contact you with recall or safety news.
Get the Dimensions Right
Experts consistently stress the importance of making sure that your car seat fits your child's age, weight, and height. Car seats are built to very specific dimensions, so you want to be sure it fits your child just right. Smaller infants or those with special needs might require a car bed-your doctor should advise when a special seat is necessary.
Find Other Discounts
Once you get your car seat secured, you can start to work on other ways to make your car safe. Several of our
auto insurance discounts-we have about 15 in all-are based on auto safety improvements.
Face the Right Way
Car seats should always be installed in the back seat of the vehicle, and infants should ride in rear-facing seats until they are 1 year old and at least 20 pounds. When children reach 20 pounds, drivers should switch their children to forward-facing seats. The next step is a booster seat until the age of 8 or a height of 4' 9". After that, the child should sit in the backseat and use the standard adult seatbelt.
It's All About the Angles
It's also important to position the seat at the proper angle-some car seats sit at 45-degree angles, while others use lower angles. Most car seats feature a built-in level, so users can set the correct angle. And several smartphones have apps that can help guide you in setting the correct angle.
Perform a Safety Check
Once you've installed the seat, give it several strong pushes at the base to ensure it's secure. A correctly installed seat shouldn't move more than an inch from side to side or front to back. And don't just be satisfied with your own tests-there are many inspection stations throughout the country where officials will ensure the seat is secure. The stations are located at police stations and Secretary of State offices. Also, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides a
location finder tool. Hospitals often have car seat technicians on staff, too.
Even after an accident, you might be able to reuse the car seat. Conventional wisdom used to be that car seats should be thrown away after even the most minor accident. But now, the NHTSA recommends keeping your car seat if all of the following criteria are met:
- The car was drivable after the crash
- The door closest to the car seat was undamaged
- There were no injuries to anyone inside the car
- The air bags did not deploy
- There is no visible damage to the car seat
Car seats should be replaced after a moderate or severe crash. Car seats are largely self-contained, but consider purchasing a "seat saver" to put under the car seat if your car has leather seats. It will help keep your car's seat clean and prevent the car seat from sliding.
When you're taking your family on the road, you want to make sure you're protected. Make sure you're covered with Allstate's car insurance. With benefits ranging from easy pay plans to accident forgiveness, Allstate helps keep you protected every time you hit the road.
It's easy to get a no-obligation quote or find an agent near you. Protect yourself and your belongings.*