baby
Installed
ISN’ T THE SAME AS correct
A correctly installed car seat can help protect your child, but only if your child is secured correctly. Learn the simple safety checks every parent should know.
By Angie Hough of Mimi Baby. Technical review by Gail Frankiskos and René Grundlingh of The Car Seat Emporium
A certified child car seat is one of the best investments you can make in your child’ s safety, but simply hearing the reassuring“ click” of installation isn’ t enough. A car seat only offers the protection it was designed for when both the seat is correctly fitted to the vehicle and the child is correctly secured inside it.
Two fits matter
Every child restraint has two essential fits: the restraint to the vehicle, and the child to the restraint. If either is incorrect, the seat may not perform as it was designed to in a crash.
Research published by Belgium’ s Vias Institute found that fewer than half( 44.7 %) of children observed in vehicles were both travelling in an appropriate restraint, and correctly secured. Common mistakes included loose harnesses, twisted or incorrectly routed seatbelts, and incorrect use of support legs or top tethers.
Getting the installation right
Whether you’ re using ISOFIX or your vehicle’ s seat belt, it’ s essential to follow the manufacturer’ s instructions carefully.
For belted installations, the seatbelt must follow the correct path, lie flat without twists and be tightened properly. With ISOFIX, both connectors must be fully engaged and the third point of contact( either the support leg or top tether) must also be used correctly. Importantly, unless specifically stated by the manufacturer, ISOFIX and the vehicle seat belt should not be used together.
It’ s equally important to check that your chosen car seat is compatible with both your vehicle and the seating position where it will be installed.
Securing your child
The harness should fit snugly against your child’ s body, with no twists or slack. Shoulder straps must be positioned according to your child’ s size and whether the seat is rear- or forward-facing. Avoid bulky jackets or blankets under the harness, as they can create dangerous hidden slack during a collision. Likewise, only use inserts supplied or approved by the manufacturer.
Always move your child to the next stage car once they reach any stated height or weight limit.
Make safety a habit
Each time you install or move a car seat, perform the“ inch test” by gripping the seat at the belt path or close to the ISOFIX connection points. It shouldn’ t move more than an inch in any direction. Before every journey, do the“ pinch test” at your child’ s shoulder. If you can pinch the harness webbing, it’ s too loose and needs tightening.
Remember, a certified car seat is only the starting point. Correct installation and proper harnessing are what allow it to protect your child when it matters most. �
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