How to Choose the Right Car Seat and Install It Safely 

As parents, we constantly worry about the safety and well-being of our children. We spend our lives providing the best care we possibly can. Each day, we load our kids into the car and pray that we make it to our destination safely. Our entire lives are buckled into the backseat.  

With this, choosing the right car seat is essential. As car crash attorneys, we see the tragedy of car wrecks every day. Though we can’t prevent crashes from happening, we can take the appropriate measures to make sure our children are safely secure in their seats. Here’s a guide on how to choose the right car seat and install it safely. 

Know the Right Size 

When it comes to choosing the right car seat for your child, size matters. Each car seat is designed to safely secure a child of a certain height and weight. Children under the age of one should always be in a rear-facing car seat. Rear-facing seats absorb most of the impact from a crash. This position also reduces the stress put on your child’s head, neck, and back. Even as your child ages, they are still safest in a rear-facing car seat. Many 3-in-1 convertible car seats have higher weight and height limits than infant seats, allowing you to keep your child rear-facing longer. 

Once your child has outgrown their rear-facing seat or has exceeded the weight and height limit set by the manufacturer, it’s time to turn them around! While forward facing, your child should remain in a 5-point harness car seat. This will keep them secure and prevent them from making dangerous maneuvers while in a moving vehicle. Though size and weight limits vary, your child should remain in this car seat until they can no longer fit safely secured in the harness.  

If your child has exceeded the height and weight limit of a 5-point harness, graduate your child to a booster seat. When considering the right booster seat, it is safer for your child to ride in a high-back booster seat. These seats often have additional safety features, such as wings that absorb the impact of a car wreck and provide extra support for your child’s head, back, and neck. You can often remove the back of the booster seat once they outgrow the height restrictions of a high-back booster. Children around 12 years old are typically ready to graduate from a booster seat as long as the adult seat belt fits across their body properly. 

Does Brand Matter? 

It’s no secret that car seats can be extremely expensive. Many name-brand car seats can be $300 or more. This may leave parents concerned that cheaper car seats are not as effective, but this isn’t necessarily true. All car seats manufactured and sold in the U.S. have to meet the same federal safety standards. 

So, what’s the difference between car seats? Honestly, other than the money you put behind them, car seats are not wildly different across brands. Some more expensive car seats have higher weight and height limits, so you get more life out of them. As your child grows, higher priced car seats may have the ability to grow with them.  

A more expensive car seat may also come with more bells and whistles than a cheaper car seat. These features are optional, but may provide your child with more comfort and convenience. For example, the car seat may have additional padding, moisture-wicking material, and slim designs to fit more children in the backseat. Car seats with a higher price tag may also have easier installation, depending on the brand. 

So, rest assured, most parents can find a car seat within their budget without sacrificing the safety of their child in the event of a crash. Because all car seats need to meet the same safety requirements, your biggest concerns should be choosing a car seat that is the appropriate size, well within its expiration date, and in good condition. 

Safe Installation 

Regardless of how much you invest into your child’s car seat, it is critical to install them properly. Even the most expensive car seats cannot protect your child if they are not buckled in correctly. 

The first step in installing a car seat is to pick the safest spot in your vehicle. Your car’s manual may provide guidelines on which seat is the safest for car seat installation. If not, the rear middle seat is your best bet. This provides more distance between either passenger airbag and any side impact. 

There are two main methods for securing the car seat in the vehicle – using the seat belt or lower anchors from the LATCH system. Your car seat’s manual should explain the preferred method and how to install your car seat. Once you’ve installed the car seat, perform the “inch test” to make sure it is tight and secure. When installed, the car seat should not move more than one inch side-to-side or front-to-back. If it does, you will need to adjust it for a tight and secure fit.  

Many communities have certified technicians to help you install your car seat or check your installation for accuracy and safety. In some cities, local police or fire departments may have these resources available. You can also keep an eye out for events in your community, such as the Daniel Stark Annual Car Seat Safety event. Here, you can have an expert technician install your car seat and even replace expired, damaged, or outgrown safety seats for free. 

Remember, in the unfortunate event of a car crash, car seats should be replaced immediately, even if there are no visible damages or if the child wasn’t present. Structural damage might not be visible but could still compromise the safety of the seat in future use, thereby putting your child at risk.