How to test a child car seat in a car

Having a child in your care - your own or someone else's - is a big responsibility. When you travel together, certain precautions must be taken to minimize the risk of harm in the event of an accident.

Child safety seats can go a long way in protecting children in cars, but they are only effective when properly installed. Be sure to check the correct installation of the child seat every time you go for a walk with your baby.

Method 1 of 2: Check the installation of the rear-facing child seat.

Step 1: Check the position of the car seat in the car.. Check if the child seat is properly installed in the car, facing the rear of the car.

Make sure the seat is not directly behind an active airbag, and keep in mind that a back seat is generally a safer choice than a front seat. In fact, many states have laws requiring the use of a child safety seat in the back seat when one is available.

Step 2. Lock the carrying handle, if there is one.. Most carrying handles fold back or push down to lock into place.

This prevents them from running wild in the event of rough terrain or an accident and hitting your child on the head. Make sure your child seat's carrying handle is locked in place.

Step 3: Adjust the rear facing safety seat to the correct angle.. Most rear-facing safety seats are designed to sit at a certain angle so that the child's head rests snugly against the padded headrest.

Follow your seat manufacturer's instructions to achieve this angle. Many seats have a footer that indicates the correct angle, or allow you to add a towel or blanket under the front legs.

Check the manufacturer's instructions for more information about the car seat model for your child.

Step 4: Attach the seat belt or latch system to the seat.. Either thread the seat belt in the correct way, or hook the clips into the appropriate anchors as indicated in your car seat's instructions.

• Attention: Never use the seat belt and buckles at the same time.

Step 5: Reinstall the safety seat. Press the car seat firmly against the vehicle seat with your hand and tighten the seat belt or latch connectors.

By squeezing the seat, you reduce the slack in the selected cables, reducing seat movement in the event of uneven riding or collisions.

Rock the seat to make sure the movement doesn't exceed one inch; if there are more, tighten the seat belt or latch more.

Method 2 of 2: Check the installation of the child seat forward facing

Step 1: Check the position of the car seat in the car.. Check if the child seat is correctly installed in the car facing forward.

As with rear-facing safety seats, the rear seat is the optimal seating choice.

• A warning: The car seat should never be placed in front of an active airbag to prevent unnecessary harm in the event of an accident.

Step 2: Tilt the seat as directed by the manufacturer.. While most forward-facing child safety seats must be positioned vertically to evenly distribute the force of the impact across the child's body, some are designed to be seated in a semi-recumbent position.

Check your child's car seat instructions for how your child's car seat should be installed.

Step 3: Attach the seat belt or buckles.. As with rear-facing safety seats, do not use the seat belts and latch systems at the same time.

When both a seatbelt and a latch system are used, it negates how any fastening system is designed to distribute weight.

Step 4: Reinstall the safety seat. Press your hand on the seat and pull out any slack in the seat belt or buckle.

This provides a tighter fit so that the seat stays in place in the event of an accident.

Step 5 Attach the top strap. Ensure that the top tether strap is attached to the top tether anchor according to the seat instructions.

This belt prevents the seat from tipping forward in a collision.

Step 6: Check the seat. Rock the seat to make sure the movement is less than one inch.

If the movement is greater than one inch, repeat steps 4 and 5 and then repeat the wiggle test.

• Functions: If you have any doubts about the correct installation of a child seat in your car, seek the help of an expert. For this purpose, there are certified inspectors in the United States at child passenger seat checkpoints.

Every year, thousands of babies are killed or otherwise injured due to incorrectly installed child seats. Taking the time to check your child car seat for proper fit and adjustment is a small investment of energy for the peace of mind it provides.

It is extremely important to check your child's car seat, even on short trips, as most accidents happen within a mile radius of home. That's why it's important to make it a habit to check the safety seats every time you leave in a car with a child.