At Tanner Healthcare for Children, we strive to provide remarkable pediatric care to the youngest members of our community and partner with parents to advance their child’s health through screenings, services and resources to help them grow into thriving adults.

One of the ways that caregivers can ensure the health and safety of their children happens before they ever arrive at our office — through proper car seat installation and harnessing.

Car accidents are a leading cause of unintentional injury and death for children and teens. According to the National Safety Council, car seats can reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers, but they are only effective if used correctly.

Please refer to the tips, videos and resources below to keep your child safe on the go.

When purchasing a car seat, don't decide by price alone. A higher price does not mean the seat is safer or easier to use. In fact, no one seat is the "best" or "safest."

The best seat is the one that fits your child's size, is correctly installed, fits well in your vehicle and is used properly every time you drive. Here are some important things to consider when buying a car seat:

• Never use a car seat with visible cracks. Don’t buy a used car seat if you know it has been in a moderate to severe crash. If you can’t verify its history, don’t use it.
• Never use a car seat without a label. This label provides the model number and date of manufacture. Without these details, you cannot check to see if the seat has been recalled. A missing label is also a sign it may be a counterfeit car seat.
• Never use a car seat that has been recalled. You can find out by contacting the manufacturer. You may also call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or visit the NHTSA website.
• Never use a car seat that is too old. Check the label for the date the seat was made. Then, find out how long the manufacturer recommends using the seat.
• Never use a car seat without instructions. You need the instructions to know how to properly use the seat. Instructions can often be found on manufacturer websites.
• Never use a car seat with missing parts. Used car seats often come without important parts. Contact the manufacturer to make sure you can get the right parts.

Each transition from one car seat type to another is associated with some decrease in protection, so parents are encouraged to delay these transitions until their child outgrows the current car seat weight and height limits.

Please follow this guidance to better understand when to transition between car seat types or when to allow your child to move from the back seat to the front seat of your vehicle:

• The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages parents to keep their children in rear-facing car seats as long as possible, up to the highest weight and height limits of the seat.
• Once they outgrow their rear-facing seat, they should transition to a front-facing car seat with a harness.
• After this, they should transition to a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle's lap and shoulder belt fits correctly (typically when they are 4 feet 9 inches tall).
• Kids are safest riding in the back seat. Keep them there until at least age 12.

Watch this video about how to appropriately use and install a rear-facing infant seat:

Here are some additional tips about rear-facing infant seats:

• Skip the aftermarket pillows or inserts unless they were provided with your car seat or specifically approved by the manufacturer.
• Don’t worry if your child’s legs look cramped in a rear-facing seat. Kids are naturally flexible, and leg injuries in this position are extremely uncommon.
• When children using rear-facing infant seats reach the highest weight for their seat, they should continue to ride rear-facing in a convertible seat for as long as possible. Rear-facing convertible seats typically have weight limits of 40 lbs.

Watch this video about how to appropriately use and install a front-facing car seat:

Here are some additional tips about front-facing car seats:

• Straps should be in the position that is at or just above your child’s shoulders. 
• Use an over-the-seat tether if possible and ensure that the seatbelt or lower anchor (LATCH) straps run through the forward-facing belt path. 
• It is best for children to ride in a seat with a harness as long as possible — at least to 4 years old. If your child outgrows a seat before reaching 4 years old, consider using a seat with a harness approved for higher weights and heights.

Watch this video about how to appropriately use and install a booster seat:

Here are some additional tips about booster seats:

• Most kids need a booster until the car’s lap and shoulder belt fits correctly, which is usually once they’re about 4 feet 9 inches and between ages 8 and 12.
• The lap belt should rest flat across the tops of the thighs — not the stomach. The shoulder belt should sit across the chest and collarbone without touching the neck.
• Always use the shoulder strap; do not rely solely on lap belts with booster seats.

In addition to following the manufacturer recommendations for properly installing your car seat and harnessing your child safely, here are some additional weather-related tips:

Most older kids can get into and out of a vehicle on their own, but children buckled into a rear-facing infant seat or a front-facing seat with a harness are unable to do so without adult assistance. For this reason, you should never leave your child unattended in your car.

Heatstroke is the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related deaths in children under age 15, and things like cracking a window, parking in the shade or running the air conditioner do little to change the inside temperature of a vehicle.

To keep your child safe in the summer months, it’s important to:

• Look in the back seat every time before locking the car.
• Stay focused on the road and limit distractions, especially from your phone.
• Pay extra attention when your daily routine changes.
• Keep parked cars locked and store keys where kids can’t reach them.

Build habits that help you check the back seat, like putting your bag or phone beside your child or arranging a check-in call with your caregiver.

Bulky clothing, including winter coats and snowsuits, can compress in a crash and leave the straps too loose to restrain your child, leading to increased risk of injury.

To keep kids safe in the car during winter, never strap your infant or child into their car seat while they’re wearing a thick jacket or coat. On cold days, buckle your child in wearing thin layers. Then, tuck a blanket or coat over the straps for warmth.

Healthychildren.org is a wonderful resource for parents and has additional information on car seat safety. If you need help installing your car seat, contact your local law enforcement agency or visit the National Child Passenger Safety Certification website to find a certified technician near you.

If you have questions or need assistance with your child’s health, reach out to us at Tanner Healthcare for Children. Visit https://www.tanner.org/tanner-healthcare-for-children or call 770-812-8640 to learn more about the services we offer at our convenient locations in Bremen, Carrollton and Villa Rica.

The content of this blog has is informed by recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and HealthyChildren.org.