Car seats installed correctly

Find car seats for your child by brand, or look up the details of a specific car seat model. Ease-of-Use Ratings Explained The Car Seat Finder is an easy-to-use tool that lets you compare seats and ease-of-use ratings to find the right car seat for your child.

Every car seat needs to be installed using either the lower anchors or a seat belt to secure it in place, never both. With a forward-facing car seat, use a tether if one is available. Before installing your car seat make sure you understand the function and location of the vehicle and car seat parts that are used in installation.

The lower anchors are found in a minimum of two rear seating positions in a vehicle. Typically there are a minimum of three tether anchors in a vehicle. In some larger vehicles such as vans, pickup trucks, and SUVs, these tether anchors may be found on the back of a vehicle seat, on the floor, the ceiling, or other location. Lower Anchor Attachments Used to install the car seat in a vehicle with lower anchors.

Used to secure a forward-facing car seat and limit forward head movement in a crash. The tether is located on the top rear of convertible, combination, and all-in-one car seats.

Most rear-facing car seats in the United States do not use a tether for installation. IMPORTANT: Both installation methods are designed to work with the tether to achieve the highest level of safety for child passengers restrained in forward-facing car seats. Lower anchors have weight limits set by the vehicle and car seat manufacturers. You can determine the lower anchor weight limit by checking the warning label or installation diagrams located on the side of the car seat.

Certified technicians will inspect your car seat free of charge, in most cases, and show you how to correctly install and use it. Some locations now offer virtual inspections. You may be able to find a tech through Safe Kids Worldwide. Congratulations—you chose the right car seat and installed it correctly.

Registering your seat makes sense: It gives the manufacturer the ability to contact you about recalls and safety notices. If you would like NHTSA to provide your child restraint registration information to the manufacturer, please fill out this Registration Form and mail it to the address below.

You may also e-mail or fax it if you choose. Washington, DC Fax: E-mail: childseatregister dot. In addition to registering your car seat to receive recalls and safety notices from your car seat manufacturer, you can sign up to receive e-mail alerts from NHTSA about car seat and booster seat recalls to make sure your child remains safe. Does the car seat have a snug fit?

Do the Inch Test to find out. This rule applies for forward-facing car seats and rear-facing car seats and when the seat is secured with either the seat belt or LATCH.

The car seat label lists the weight limit. Check out car seat safety tips for your child. Installing Basic Tip 1 Let us Help you install your car seat properly Take time to read the owner manuals for both your vehicle and your car seat. Installing Basic Tip 2 find the Best place in the car The back seat is the safest place to ride for all children under age For rear-facing seats, it is important that the base of your car seat is level to prevent your child's head from flopping forward.

Most seats will have indicators on the side to help. Connect the tether strap. Forward-facing infant car seats have an extra strap at the top as an added safety measure. Double check your vehicle and attach and tighten the tether strap if possible to prevent head movement in the event of a crash. Position Your Child Safely Once you are finished installing the car seat, you still need to place your child into it properly to ensure their safety.

To properly position your child in the car seat, you will need to: Remove bulky clothing or unnecessary layers. Place your child so their backside is flush against the seat without arching or slouching. Make sure all straps should lie flat against your child without twists or knots. Check that straps are snug but not too tight.

Verify the chest clip sits level with their armpits. See that the shoulder straps connect to the seat at or directly below their shoulders. Safety Seat Inspection Even if you follow all the directions perfectly, and you've checked off all of our safety tips, it's wise to have your work inspected.

More Child Seat Safety Tips Here are a few additional tips all drivers should keep in mind when it comes to child seat safety. Use a car seat every time your child rides in a motor vehicle.

If you're transferring your seat to a different car, refer to that car's manual for specific installation directions. Keep your child in a rear-facing seat as long as possible —it's the safest traveling position.