Image courtesy of trafficsafetymarketing.gov

by Chase Webber, Prevention Specialist & Child Passenger Safety Technician

We mentioned in our last blog that an estimated 90% of car seats are used incorrectly. Nationally, that statistic is around 75%, which means parents and caregivers in Florida need a little extra help when installing their car seats. There was a time in my life that I would have thought installing a car seat couldn’t be all that difficult, and I would have bet money that I knew how to install one. It wasn’t until my first experience with three, not just one, that I realized my worst nightmare had just come true.

Ok, it wasn’t that bad.

But I did realize that I didn’t even know where to begin when it came to installing car seats. My wife and I were baby-sitting for some friends of ours, and we decided that we would take all three of their little girls to the park. My wife began getting the girls ready, and my job was to put the car seats in our car. Never having had to use a car seat before, I was still confident that I would be able to perform my only job perfectly. The tangled-up mess that I had concocted was anything but perfect. Luckily, my wife, in all of her awesome-ness, stepped in and saved the day.

Now, when I hear that 90% of car seats are used incorrectly, I believe it. There are many mistakes that can be made when installing a car seat, which is part of the reason this task can appear so daunting. However, there are many tools available that can help ensure that your car seat is installed properly and safely every time.

Installing a Car Seat Properly

Read the Instructions in the Owner’s Manual

The Owner's Manual that is included with the car seat. (Yes, even you dads.) This has the information that is specific to your car seat.

Read the Child Passenger Safety Portion of the Owner’s Manual

This has the specific information regarding installing car seats in your vehicle.  These two documents make for quite the power couple when it comes to the installation of your car seat.

Research

Here are some extra instructions just in case you want to be even more thorough. There is a lot of really great information included on this website, so click away! www.safercar.gov/parents/How-To-Install-Car-Seat-Tips.htm

For Visual Learners

If you are like me, you may be more of a visual learner. Click here, then select which type of seat you are installing, and you will be able to watch some short installation videos.

Checklist

Here is a short checklist that is useful to ensure safety, even after you have become an expert.

Call a Superhero

If all else fails, there are some superheroes that you can call.  We call those superheroes Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians.  Click on this link and type which city you are in.  You will be provided with a list of superheroes that will be ready to help.

Videos

Rear-Facing Infant Seat

Rear-Facing Convertible Seat

Additional instructions and tutorials for specific seat-types available here.

We know that with your help, we can make sure 100% of children in our community are traveling safely!