Car Seat Installation

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Now In: Car Seat Installation

Instructions for Proper Car Seat Installation

Rear-facing infant only child safety seat:

Certified for use from birth up to 20 to 22 pounds (top of baby's head must be below top edge of seat).
Use REAR-FACING only. (There are some infant seats, used for special needs purposes, which are designed to allow the infant to lie flat.)
NEVER place a rear-facing infant seat in the front seat with a front passenger air bag.
Some infant-only seats are sold as part of a stroller system.
Some have detachable bases which can be left in the vehicle, etc.

Properly restrained infant in rear-facing infant only child safety seat:

Place harness straps at or below infant's shoulders.
Keep harness straps snug.
Place chest clip at infant's armpit level to keep harness straps in place.
If necessary, place rolled towel around baby's head and neck for support.
Do not put heavy clothing or jacket on baby. This prevents harness straps from being snug.
Never place any extra cushioning under or behind your baby. This also prevents harness straps from being snug. If additional padding is needed, use only the padding that comes with your child safety seat.
Secure infant in seat and then place blanket over infant (do NOT cover infant's head).

Tips for proper installation of rear-facing infant seat:

Always read your child safety seat instructions and vehicle owner's manual for proper use and installation information.
Select a seating position. The safest place is where the child seat fits securely. The back seat is the safest place for all children to sit.
Know what kind of seat belt system is in your vehicle and how to lock it to secure the child safety seat. Knowing how to lock the seat belt is what will hold your child safety seat in place.

Infant seat with a base

Identify the belt path on the base.
Place the vehicle belt through the belt path and buckle.
Push your body weight (knee) onto the base and pull the excess belt webbing of a lap only belt or the shoulder belt portion of a lap/shoulder belt away from the buckle, taking out as much slack at possible, (It is the lap portion of the belt which secures the child seat.)
Activate the locking mechanism to secure a child safety seat.
Place rear-facing child seat onto base.
Put the carry handle in the down position. (Check manufacturer's instructions.)
Check for secure fit by placing your hands on the base, near the belt path, and pull from side to side and forward. Child safety seat should not move more than an inch forward or sideways.
Child safety seat should be secured at a 45 degree angle. If seat is not at a 45 degree angle, remove seat and unbuckle base.
If the base is an adjustable base, adjust to achieve a proper angle. If the base is not adjustable, place a rolled towel or foam noodle underneath the front of the base at the vehicle seat bight.

Infant seat without a base

Identify the belt path on the seat.
Place the vehicle belt through the belt path and buckle.
Press the child seat into the vehicle seat cushion, then put your body weight onto the child safety seat and pull the excess belt webbing of a lap only belt or the shoulder belt portion of a lap/shoulder belt away from the buckle, taking out as much slack at possible.
Activate the locking mechanism.
Check for secure fit by placing your hands on the child safety seat, near the belt path, and pull. Child safety seat should not move more than an inch forward or sideways.
Put the carry handle in the down position. (Check manufacturer's instructions.)
Child safety seat should be secured at a 45 degree angle. The base of the child seat should be parallel with the floor of the vehicle.
If seat is not at a 45 degree angle, unbuckle seat and place a rolled towel or foam noodle underneath base at the vehicle seat bite to achieve the proper 45 degree angle.

(For a dictionary of child safety seat terms please click here. This information is made available by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA)