Common Car Seat Misuses

National Child Passenger Safety Week (September 19-25) is upon us. Over the past year, I have participated in many car seat inspections and it has become very clear to me that many car seats have not been inspected by a certified child passenger safety technician (CPST). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 73% to over 90% of child restraints are misused. In my experience, over 95% of the car seats that I have assisted with were misused in some way (installation, location of seat, child restrained properly, safety of the seat itself, etc). To date, I have seen 2…that’s right…2 car seats that passed inspection. Let’s take a look at some common mistakes to help you avoid making the same.

What are the most common mistakes that I have seen?
• When seat belts are used to secure the child, the seat belt has not been locked. Seat belts lock in 1 of 3 ways: at the (1) latch plate, (2) retractor or (3) by using a locking clip.
• The child restraint is not secured tightly and moves more than 1-inch at the belt-path.
• Some vehicles and/or child restraints do not allow the LATCH system to be used in the middle seat. This information is found both in the vehicle owner’s manual and the child restraint owner’s manual.
• The harness straps are not tight enough to secure the child properly. When checking tightness, pinch the straps at the shoulder level. You should not be able to pinch extra fabric.
• The retainer clip is positioned too low. The clip should be level with the child’s armpit. The sternum absorbs more force than the abdomen in the event of a crash.
• The harness straps are not positioned in the proper harness slot. Harness straps should be at or below the shoulders when a child is rear-facing and at or above when forward-facing.

National Child Passenger Safety Certification Training Manual

• Forward-facing position used when child still requires rear-facing. The EARLIEST a child can be turned forward-facing is when he/she is 1 year of age AND 20 pounds…not either/or. The new recommendations are to keep children rear-facing for as long as possible or until the height and/or weight requirements of the convertible car seat have been reached.
• The carrying handle of the infant-only car seat remains in the carrying position and not in proper position for riding in the vehicle.
• Using aftermarket products. I must say, this is one of the most commonly seen mistakes. Aftermarket products (i.e. head support, harness padding, bunting) have not been crash tested with the car seat to be rendered safe.
• Expired car seats. Car seats expire after 6 years and should not be used. The plastic can become brittle and not provide the protection needed in the event of a crash.
• Rear-facing seat not at proper angle. Rear-facing seats should be at a 30-45 degree angle.
• Tether strap not used for forward-facing car restraint or improperly used with rear-facing convertible car seats.
• Tether strap not tight.
• Tether strap not attached to correct anchor.
• Child not appropriate weight and/or height for the car restraint.
• Twisted harness straps.
• Twisted seatbelt or LATCH straps.
• Using both seatbelt and LATCH to secure the car seat in a vehicle. Only one or the other is to be used.
• Two car seats secured to one LATCH anchor.
• Using second-hand car seat in which the history is unkown.

So how do you prevent misuse?
• Read you car seat owner’s manual.
• Read your vehicle owner’s manual.
• Get your child restraint inspected every time you install a new seat.
• Be vigilant and check tightness of the seat and straps before every use.
• Make sure other caregivers who transport your child in a vehicle are knowledgeable about car seats and common car seat mistakes.

Since motor vehicle accidents are still a leading cause of death in children less than 14 years of age, it is crucial for parents and caregivers to be vigilant in utilizing child restraints properly and consistently.

September 25th is National Seat Check Saturday. Don’t forget to get your child’s car seat inspected for free. Find an event near you here. For more information regarding car seats and car seat safety, please visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website and Safe Kids USA.

Author : Diba Tillery RN, BSN, IBCLC, CPST