• Check the car seat manufacturer's age and weight requirements to ensure it is appropriate for your child.
• It is recommended that car seats be replaced every 6 years.
• Avoid used car seats. Extended use or involvement in an accident may limit their effectiveness. (Many older car seats do not conform to current safety requirements).
• Send in the manufacturer's registration card enclosed with each new car seat. This will not only validate any warranty, but will also allow the manufacturer to contact you in case of a recall.
• Children under 1 year of age and children who weigh less than 20 pounds should always ride in a rear-facing car seat. Children should ride in a forward-facing car seat only when they are 1 year of age and weigh at least 20 pounds.
• The back seat is the safest place for children to ride. Never place a child under 13 years of age in front of an active air bag. While an air bag may protect a belted adult, the force with which it deploys may seriously injure or kill a child.
• The base of your car seat should rest firmly on the seat, and the LATCH anchorages or safety belt must secure it tightly. If it moves an inch in any direction, it's too loose.
• If you are not using the LATCH system to secure your car seat and your car has lap and shoulder belts with a free sliding latch, you must use the locking clip included with most car seats. (Locking clips are also sold separately.) Follow manufacturer's instructions for installation. If you have any questions, call the manufacturer or visit their Web site. Also, many local police stations, fire stations, and hospitals can offer you assistance.
• To make sure you have installed your car seat correctly, attend a car seat safety check. Many local fire departments, police stations, health-care facilities, and even Babies "R" Us stores will periodically hold these meetings and will examine your car seat installation at no charge.

• Always read your child safety seat instructions and vehicle's owner's manual for proper use and installation information.
• Check to ensure that the harness straps are in the lower slots (they should be at or below baby's shoulders).
• Adjust seat to most reclined position.
• Locate the lower latch attachments.
• Hook the latch attachments to the vehicle anchors.
• Push with knees to assure that child seat is pressed against the vehicle seat back.
• Put your body weight into the child safety seat (stand in front of seat and put one knee in seat), then pull the excess webbing.
• Check for secure fit by placing your hands on the child safety seat, near the base of the child safety seat (near the latch attachments), and pull.
• The child safety seat should not move more than an inch forward or sideways.
• Child safety seat should be secured at a 45-degree angle.
• If seat is not at a 45-degree angle, unbuckle seat and place a rolled towel or foam noodle underneath base to achieve the proper 45-degree angle.

• Always read your child safety seat instructions and vehicle's owner's manual for proper use and installation information.
• Check to ensure that harness straps are at or above child's shoulders (for most seats, harness straps should be in uppermost slots--read manufacturer's instructions).
• Adjust seat to upright or semireclined position (according to manufacturer's instructions).
• Locate the lower latch attachments.
• Hook the latch attachments to the vehicle anchors.
• Put your body weight into the child safety seat (stand in front of seat and put one knee in seat), then pull the excess webbing.
• Attach child safety seat tether strap to tether anchor in vehicle and pull excess webbing to tighten.
• Check for secure fit by placing your hands on the child safety seat, near the base of the child safety seat (near the latch attachments), and pull.
• The child safety seat should not move more than an inch forward or sideways.

Infant (Rear-Facing) Car Seats This type of car seat is designed for infants from birth to 1 year of age. A rear-facing infant car seat can continue to be used by children who are older than 1 year but who weigh less than 20 pounds. When an infant car seat that is equipped with LATCH is installed in a vehicle that is also equipped with LATCH, the rear-facing seat should be secured with the two lower anchorages but not the top tether. If the infant car seat or the vehicle it is being installed in is not equipped with the LATCH system, the vehicle's safety belt system is used to secure the seat, and a top tether will not be used.

Convertible Car Seats This type of car seat can initially be used in the rear-facing position for an infant who is less than 1 year old and who weighs up to 20 to 30 pounds, and it can be switched to a forward-facing position once the child is 1 year old and weighs at least 20 pounds. When a convertible car seat that is equipped with LATCH is installed in a vehicle that is also equipped with LATCH, the seat should be secured with the two lower anchorages in either the rear- or forward-facing positions. The top tether will not be used when the seat is in the rear-facing position, but it should be used when the seat is switched to the forward-facing position. If the convertible car seat or the vehicle it is being installed in is not equipped with the LATCH system, the vehicle's safety belt system is used to secure the seat. In this case, a top tether will not be used when the seat is in the rear-facing position, but can be added when the car is switched to the forward-facing position.

Booster Car Seats Many high-backed, belt-positioning booster seats come with an internal harness and are used as a forward-facing safety seat for children weighing 20 to 40 pounds. When a booster seat equipped with LATCH is installed in a vehicle that is also equipped with LATCH, the seat should be secured with the two lower anchorages and the top tether. If the booster seat or the vehicle it is being installed in is not equipped with the LATCH system, the vehicle's safety belt system is used to secure the seat and a top tether can be used. When used with a belt-positioning booster seat without harness straps, the vehicle's safety belt is used to restrain the child in the seat and a tether strap is not necessary.

• Not securing your vehicle's seat belt tightly. When you use your vehicle's seat belts to install a car seat, the car seat should not be able to move more than an inch in either direction once it has been installed. Check your car seat each time you use it. Cars manufactured before 1996 may require the use of locking clips to keep seat belts securely in place. These clips are usually packaged with your car seat. They can also be purchased separately.
• Incorrect usage of harness straps. Be sure that the car seat's straps are threaded through the proper slots. When used rear-facing (as in an infant car seat), the straps should be positioned at shoulder height or lower. When used forward-facing, the straps should be threaded through the topmost slots. Keep in mind that the straps should always fit snugly, but not uncomfortably. You should be able to slide one finger comfortably between your child and the strap.
• Switching to a forward-facing car seat too soon. It is recommended that an infant should remain rear-facing in an infant car seat for 12 months or until the child reaches approximately 20 pounds. If the child grows too tall for the infant car seat, but still has not reached the manufacturer's weight or age requirement to discontinue use, switch to a convertible car seat and use it in the rear-facing position. This will accommodate your taller child. Be sure to check the suggested height and weight requirements before purchasing one.

• Make sure the safety belt is tight when securing all safety seats.
• Keep your child in a safety seat with a full harness at least until he or she reaches 40 pounds. After that, use a belt-positioning booster seat which allows the seat belt to fit better. Generally, this will be used until the child reaches 80 pounds.
• For older children riding in booster seats, be sure harness straps are over the shoulder, placing the chest clip at armpit level.
• The adult lap and shoulder belt system alone will not fit most children until they are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall and weigh about 80 pounds.
• The child must be tall enough to sit with their knees bent at the edge of the seat and touch their feet to the floor.
• The lap belt must fit low and tight across the child's upper thighs. The shoulder belt should rest over their shoulder and across their chest.

• Scooped out car seat cushions can make it difficult or impossible to install a child restraint.
• Door-mounted seat belts should not be used to anchor child restraints.
• Your auto dealer can install a special lap belt designed to lock the child restraint in place.
• For the first few months, an infant-only safety seat with a five-point harness is a much better choice than a seat with a shield.
• In cold weather, put the harness straps on first, then cover baby. This will prevent bulky clothing or coverings from causing the harness to fit improperly.
• If baby’s head flops while in the car seat, use an infant headrest or tuck a rolled towel under the front of the restraint tips to support the head and neck.
• Make sure that harness straps lie flat, not twisted, and are held on the shoulders with a harness retainer clip.
• Never allow belts to come across the throat or under the arm.
• For older children, slouching while buckled in could lead to serious injury during a crash.
• For older children, a shield booster should be used when only a lap belt is available.
• If your car has a combination of lap and shoulder belts, and the shield is detachable, the booster base should be used alone.
• If the child’s ears are above the top of the seat back, a booster seat with a high back should be used.