Four out of every five car seats is installed incorrectly. In my 14 years I have only seen one seat installed properly. As a certified car seat technician, I’ve worked with a lot of parents looking for, installing and checking car seats. As a parent, proper car seat instillation and use is one of the biggest responsibilities you take on. If you take the time to educate yourself, following correct car seat guidelines can be simple.

Here are five best practices for car seat usage:

1.Blanket, not jacket.

When a child is put in a car seat with a jacket on, the jacket builds an air barrier between the strap and the child. In the event of a crash, the straps push the air of the jacket and cause the child to move forward in a sudden, hard jerk. This type of movement can cause serious problems like whiplash and spinal cord injury. The best practice is to put your child in their seat without a jacket, secure them safely and then place a blanket or jacket over the straps.

2.Know the correct car seat for your child, and get it.  

Car seats are not a one-size-fits-all product. There are sizes, brands, makes, models, colors, fits, designs and so much more. Each car seat has a size and weight guide on the side of its base. When your child meets or exceeds either the size or the weight limit, it’s time to replace. A common misconception is that your child has to meet both the size and weight limit before a new purchase is necessary – this is incorrect. If your child meets one of the limits, the law is to make the switch. Another little-known fact? Car seats expire. Safety standards change, materials wear out and technology upgrades. Look for the expiration date on the car seat – if you can’t find it, check the manual or call the manufacturer. If your child has outgrown their rear-facing seat, but hasn’t reached the proper age to turn (see point two below), invest in a seat that is a dual forward- and rear-facing chair.

3.Stay rear facing as long as possible.

This is possibly the most disregarded safety rule out there. Best practice and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends to keep all children rear facing until two-years-old, or until they have reached the highest weight or height allowed by their safety seats manufacturer. A child could be in the top percentile for size and weight, and still have bones that are not fully developed. In the event of a crash, a rear-facing position will help evenly distribute the impact. Parents tend to turn their children at the one-year or 20 pound mark because they feel their child has “reached another milestone,” which means they are growing like they should. Another common misconception is that a child’s legs are being ‘squished’ against the back of the seat. A child will naturally cross their legs once they are in their seat and feel the need. It might be easier to reach or communicate with a forward-facing child, but it isn’t worth the risk. In a study, children in rear-facing seats were 75% less likely to be killed or injured in a crash.

4.Know the proper forward facing techniques.

Once a child is of age, it’s time to transition to a forward-facing position. First, make sure the seat is forward-facing approved. When a child is in a forward-facing seat, the straps should be at or above their shoulder, with the clip at armpit level. Like a rear-facing seat, the straps should fit snug, not tight. You should be able to pinch the straps. If you can run your finger between the child and the strap, it’s a good fit.

5.Don’t buy after-market products.

The intention of buying after-market products is always good; however, these items can do a lot more harm than good. After-market products encompass all of the ‘add-ons’ for your car and car seat – this includes seat protectors, strap pads, hanging toys, mirrors, side sun visors and more. When seats are crash tested, they are tested as just that – the seat. These items will say they are safety tested, but it usually means they are tested for under three years of age and not actually tested in a crash situation. Any add-on is not approved by the car seat manufacturer and could become a serious danger in the event of a crash. Mirrors, visor rods and hanging toys can become flying objects that have the impact of three times their original weight when thrown, while seat protectors and towels can cause the car seat to slide. A good alternative is to give children stuffed animals for entertainment and to use window visors that adhere to the glass. Buying after-market products includes buying used car seats. NOTE: Once a car seat has been in a crash, it has done its job – and it’s time to buy a new one. While the outside of the seat might appear to be fine, the inside foam and protective surfaces could be damaged. Buying a car seat from a garage sale or borrowing one from a friend, there’s no way to tell if the seat has any internal damage. Be safe, buy new. If you can’t afford a new car seat and qualify for WIC or Medicaid, there are resources available that can help you get a car seat for just $25.

The great part about car seat safety is the amount of resources available to educate yourself – and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Read online reviews, examine your car seat manual and get to know your car seat. Once a seat is installed, call the car seat line, 682-885-2634, to find their local certified car seat technician and set up a free car seat inspection.

The seat you pick and how it is installed could mean the difference in life and death for your little one.


Olga Nowlan is the Step Up Director of Teen Services for Camp Fire First Texas. Her specialties include drug, alcohol and truancy prevention in at-risk teens. Olga holds a Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington as well as certifications in Texas Educator ESL/Generalist EC-6 Grade, Community Health Worker with the State of Texas, and a Child Passenger Car Seat Technician.