Motor vehicle crashes remain the No. 1 killer of kids. However, many of these deaths can be prevented with the proper use of child safety seats. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), child safety seats reduce fatal injury by 71 percent for infants and by 54 percent for toddlers (1-4 years old).
The problem is most parents and caregivers are unaware of the risk to children when they are not properly restrained in child safety seats. According to a study conducted by DaimlerChrysler, 96 percent of parents and caregivers believe their child safety seats are installed correctly, but NHTSA research shows that seven out of 10 children are improperly restrained, putting them at risk for serious injury or death in a crash.
What are the most common child safety seat installation mistakes?
- Not using the right child safety seats for a child’s size and age;
- Not placing the child safety seat in the correct direction;
- Incorrect installation of the child safety seat in relation to the vehicle’s air bags;
- Incorrect installation and tightness of the child safety seat to the vehicle seat;
- Not securing or tightening the child safety seat’s harness and crotch straps;
- Improper use of locking clips for certain vehicle safety belts;
- Not making sure the vehicle’s seat belts fit properly across the child when using a booster seat; and
- Using a defective or broken child safety seat.
Wondering what kind of safety seat your child needs?
What Happens During a Car Seat Inspection?
Certified technicians will conduct the child safety seat inspection, taking approximately 30-50 minutes, depending on the seat and the vehicle. The certified inspector will:
- Check the child safety seat to see that it has been properly installed.
- Remove and inspect the child safety seat for damage/diagnose problems.
- Ensure the child safety seat is not a recalled model.
- Get information about children riders from the vehicle owner (size and weight of child, etc.)
- Ensure the child safety seat is appropriate for the size and age of the child.
- Teach the auto owner the correct procedure to properly and safely install the child safety seat in his or her auto.
- Show the parent or caregiver how to secure the child in the seat.
- Discuss other vehicles and safety seats they own, and provide instructions to repeat the correct procedure with other seats or when installing the seat in other cars.
Other Safety Links:
Safe Kids USA
Center for Injury Prevention Policy and Practice
California Department of Health Services, State and Local Injury Control (EPIC/SLIC)
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
NHTSA Booster Seat Info: