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Safety is a priority with parents, and this is reflected in the amount of time and money they are willing to spend on a car seat for their child. 5 percent of the child safety seats inspected. As the study suggests, many parents actually put the child in danger by not using the restraint properly. Typically, the biggest mistakes were loose harness straps and safety belt attachments. The NHTSA classifies these as ‘critical’ errors, because of the potential risk they could cause the child.

How to make sure your newborn safe?

Keep in mind three things as you pick out a car safety seat: your child’s age, weight, and the position of the seat. Newborn car seats are the ones that allow a baby that is less than a year and under twenty pounds to ride in a rearward-facing position. Because of the way they are designed, the small, portable, snug seat is ideal for a newborn. The infant-only car seats should also always be placed in the back seat of the car, in the rear-facing position.

Many parents do not see the purpose of an infant-only seat, choosing instead to go with a more flexible convertible seat. Out of necessity to accommodate a growing child, these car seats are larger and more bulky. Convertible seats allow parents to put any child that would be placed in a rear-facing infant-only seat in the same position. You can go ahead and place any child that is 20-40 pounds in a front-facing position. Far more important than the style of seat is that the parent use it exactly as it was designed to be used.

Make sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions, as well as your vehicle owner’s manual. There are two sets of buckles to worry about: those that put the baby into place, and those that do the same for the car seat. The slot position and a firm fit are important for the harness straps in particular. Above or at the shoulder is where the straps should go into the slots for convertible car seats, while below is a good place to measure for infant-only. You’ll want to re-read your owner’s guide to the seat, but most guidelines for harness clips sit them at armpit level, around straps that you want to make sure are not twisted.

It helps seat belt placement to recline the seat 45 degrees; always double check that your seat belt is in the right path for the position of the seat. Another tip is to include a rolled up towel that you can place under the seat. Tighten the seat belt, as needed, to ensure the restraint is secured to your vehicle. Every car that has a LATCH system has special requirements, and those mean that the parent should read their owner guides, to both their car and their car seat, to make sure their seat is installed correctly. If you purchase a seat that is not new, make sure you check it’s age and condition.

You should feel free to buy a used seat, but you should pay attention to the age and condition of it. Do not purchase a seat older than five years, and do not purchase one that does not include instructions. Inquire from the previous owner if the seat has ever been in an accident, and if it has, do not buy it; also make sure you are only purchasing a seat that has all its parts.