It’s one thing to have a car seat; but it is altogether different to install it properly.  Millions of people have perfectly capable car seats that malfunction because they are installed wrong.  Don’t be one of them!  It really is simple to install a car seat and if you do it right you won’t have to second guess yourself every time you leave the home!

Absolute Must Know Tricks to Installing Car Seats

Whether you are installing an infant seat or a toddler seat, the rules are basically the same.  If you are not going to use the LATCH system and are planning to loop the car’s seat belts through the car seat there are some tricks that will ensure it is tight. The first thing to do is make sure that your child safety seat sits level on the seat.  If it doesn’t it is acceptable to place a rolled towel under it so that the baby or child is not leaned too far back.  As you bring the car seat belt through the seat’s path make sure to pull out the belt all the way.  This causes the seat belts in most cars to become locked or fixed.  It should make a distinct sound when you pull it out.  Once that is done, loop the belts through the back or bottom of the seat making sure you use the proper space provided.  Connect the belt to the buckle and allow the seat belt to retract all the way in.   After this is done, it is advisable to place your knee using all your weight to push the seat in place and retract the belt eliminating any of the slack.  Test it to make sure that it doesn’t sway side to side or forward and you will see just how tight it is.

How to Use a LATCH System and Belt Clips

At first glance child safety car seats can be confusing.  There are so many belts and buckles you may not know which ones to use.  On the back of the seat it should clearly say which ones are for LATCH (Lower anchors and tethers) and which are for the traditional seat belts.  If you are using the LATCH system you much find the bottom and top anchor points in your car.  They are usually behind the seat on the top and under the seat near the floorboards on the bottom.  Snap both of these into places.  Sometimes it is very difficult to use the LATCH system and properly tighten the belts.  The best bet is to use your body weight to pull the tethers tight. Check the seat to make sure it doesn’t rock or slip forward.  If it does continue tightening it until it no longer moves.

All Car Seats Will Come With a Clip on the Back

This clip is only necessary in older model cars and is used to ensure that the buckles do not slip.  The clip is attached to both of the belts (shoulder and lap) to hold them together and should be installed right above the clipping mechanism or buckle.  They can be hard to get on at first but are absolutely necessary in older model cars.  If you do not use them you risk allowing the belt system to malfunction which nulls the use of the car seat.  Think about this for a minute!  Consumer testing reports conducted showed that a car seat is 71% more effective at preventing injury at high and low speeds than using without.  Chances are if you install a seat wrong or move a child up to quickly – they will be killed in the event of a wreck.  All research indicates that car seats are the safest way to keep kids safe in the car and should be used properly.