Barbecues, fireworks, s’mores and road trips – they’re summer classics. They rarely change because when you know something works, you stick with it. You know what else stands the test of time? Car seat safety tips. However, a staggering three out of four car seats are incorrectly installed. This is so alarming because motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of death among children. The good news is that a properly installed car seat can help dramatically reduce injury and prevent death. So we are sharing the following tips, just in time for the busy summer road trip season.
1. Always use the ‘Inch Test’ and the ‘Pinch Test’. Pinch the car seat strap near the child’s shoulder; if you can pinch a wrinkle in the fabric, tighten the strap until it is snug. For the ‘Inch Test’, grab the car seat from the back and bottom and tug from side to side and front to back. If the seat moves more than an inch in either direction, tighten it.