If you have children, it’s essential that you properly secure them in their car seats while driving. While child safety seats are excellent at preventing potential injuries in an accident, their incorrect usage is widespread.  When you think about it, even a small error in how the seat is used versus how it should be used can be the cause of serious injury or accident.

The following list of tips will help ensure you are using your car seat safely:

  1. Never put an infant in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger air bag.
  2. Route harness straps in lower slots at or below shoulder level.
  3. Keep harness straps snug and fasten the clip at armpit level.
  4. Make sure the straps lie flat and are not twisted.
  5. Dress your baby in clothes that allow the straps to go between the legs. Adjust the straps to accommodate the thickness of your child’s clothing.
  6. To prevent your newborn from slouching, pad the sides of the seat and between the child’s legs with rolled-up diapers or receiving blankets.
  7. Lower the car seat’s carrying handle when it’s in the car.
  8. Infants must ride in the back seat facing the rear of the car. This offers the best protection for your infant’s neck.
  9. Recline the rear-facing seat at a 45-degree angle. If your child’s head flops forward, the seat may not have reclined enough. Tilt the seat back until it is level by wedging firm padding, such as a rolled towel, under the front of the seat base.

Do not use a car seat if any of the following apply:

  1. It is too old. Check the label for the date it was manufactured. Most cars now have an expiration date, indicating when you are not supposed to use the seat past that date.
  2. It does not have a label with the date of manufacture and model number. Without these, you cannot check on recalls.
  3. It has been in a crash. If so, it may have been weakened and should not be used, even if it appears to be all right.
  4. It does not come with instructions. You have the instructions to know how to install and use the car seat correctly. Do not rely on the former owner’s instructions. Obtain a copy of the manual from the manufacturer.
  5. It has cracks in the frame of the seat.
  6. It is missing parts. Used seats often come without important parts. Check with the manufacturer to ensure you can obtain the correct parts.