Guest Column | Why the right car seat and proper installation keep children safe
Car seats are among the most important items on any new parent’s checklist, and every day families rely on them to keep their children safe while traveling. However, many don’t realize there are several steps to ensure a car seat is safe.
A correctly installed and used child safety seat can reduce the risk of injury by 71% for infants (younger than 1 year old) and by 54% for toddlers (1 to 4 years old). Conversely, an improperly installed car seat, one that isn’t appropriate for the child’s size, or a counterfeit seat lacking essential safety features can greatly diminish its effectiveness.
Car seats are designed to protect children at their most vulnerable moments, but only when they are used correctly. Knowing what to look for, what to avoid and where to get help can make all the difference.
Rear-facing, Forward-facing, booster: What it means
Following the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) guidelines is crucial because they are based on thorough crash testing and research, ensuring car seats provide optimal protection for children at all ages and developmental stages.
Child passenger safety involves three stages: rear-facing seats, forward-facing seats and booster seats, each tailored to a child’s growth and size. Rear-facing seats are designed for infants and toddlers, protecting their heads and spines. Forward-facing seats use a harness and are suitable for older children who have outgrown rear-facing limits. Booster seats help ensure the vehicle’s seatbelt fits properly for older children who are not yet large enough to use a seatbelt on their own.
The NHTSA provides the following recommendations:
• Children under 1 year old should always ride in a rear-facing car seat
• One to 3-year-olds should be kept in rear-facing car seats for as long as possible. Once children outgrow the height or weight limit of their rear-facing car seat, they should ride in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether.
• Children aged 4 to 7 should use forward-facing car seats until they reach the top height or weight limit of the car seat’s manufacturer instructions, and then move to a booster seat
• Eight- to 12-year-olds should be kept in booster seats until they are big enough to fit into seat belts properly
• Be sure all passengers use seat belts correctly, with the lap-belt low on the hips and the shoulder belt across the chest, not resting on the neck. Never place a shoulder belt under an arm or behind your back.
When to change a car seat
Install the car seat using either a seat belt or the lower anchors, but not both. When installing a forward-facing car seat, always use the top tether.
Check the car seat labels for weight, height and age limits. Once the child outgrows the rear-facing car seat, transition to a forward-facing harness seat, then to a belt-positioning booster with a lap and shoulder belt.
A child is ready to use the seat belt only when they pass the 5-point booster test: sitting all the way back without slouching, knees bent over the seat edge, feet touching the floor, lap belt low on the hips, and shoulder belt across the chest and shoulder-not on the neck or face.
Replace the car seat if it has expired, has been recalled, has been involved in a crash, or is damaged. Refer to the manual or the manufacturer for more information. You will need the model number and date of manufacture, found on a label on the side, back or bottom of the seat.
Not all car seats are created equally
Counterfeit car seats are imitations of certified child safety seats that may look legitimate but have not been properly tested or approved to meet federal safety standards.
Because they are not subject to the same rigorous crash testing as regulated products, they are not a safe alternative. They may use lower-quality materials, faulty components or missing safety features that could fail in a crash.
These seats are often sold at unusually low prices or through unverified online sellers, making them difficult for consumers to identify right away. Using a counterfeit car seat puts a child at serious risk, so it’s important to purchase from reputable retailers and verify that any seat meets current federal safety certification standards.
Other things to watch for include:
• No way to register the product
• No clear federal safety label
• Missing instructions
• Inconsistencies in packaging
What safety experts want parents to know
There is no shame in not knowing all the details of car seat safety.
These guidelines can be complex and change as children grow and safety standards are updated. Many well-intentioned parents and caregivers are simply doing their best with the information they have at the time. The important thing is that help is available and support is offered without judgment.
Child passenger safety technicians, healthcare providers, and community partners are here to answer questions, check installations, determine whether a car seat is fully safety approved, and provide guidance so every family can feel confident that their child is as safe as possible on the road.
Free car seat checks in our community
Golisano Children’s Hospital offers free car seat checks and occasionally offers free car seats at various events throughout the year. Lee Health also works with its community partners throughout Southwest Florida to offer convenient car seat checks and awareness events.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to register car seats with the manufacturer so they can be notified of any recalls. They can download NHTSA’s SaferCar app, which allows users to save their vehicle, car seat and tire information in a virtual garage. If any of the saved equipment is included in a safety recall, the app will send a notification.
To learn how to install a car seat or have your car seat checked, please contact a child passenger safety technician at Golisano Children’s Hospital by calling the Child Advocacy Department at 239-343-5101.
For more information on car seat safety, visit leehealth.org.
Julie Noble is the Safe Kids SWFL Coordinator for Lee Health.