Guide to the necessary information for a successful car seat installation for your baby
Besides choosing the right car seat for your child, the correct installation of the seat impacts the safety of your child in your vehicle. Therefore, it is essential to know and avoid common mistakes parents make when installing the baby car seat in the car.
Factors affecting your child’s car safety
Using a car seat is mandatory in France for the safety of your children. They are the best means of protecting them when they are in a car.
Car accidents are indeed one of the leading causes of death and injury among children. As car seats protect and save lives, they are compulsory.
But to ensure your child’s safety, you must choose the right seat and use it correctly. On Tekky Parent, you’ll find many tips for choosing and installing your car seat.
A good car seat for a child fits their weight, height, and age. Choose a seat that complies with European safety standards and learn how to install it properly.
Remember that properly installing a car seat guarantees your child’s safety.
Common mistakes when installing a baby car seat
Here are the 5 most common mistakes regarding baby car seat installation.
Installing a young child facing the road
It is tempting to give in to the urge to place the car seat facing the road to see them in the rearview mirror. Don’t.
It is now recommended to place the seat facing backward until your child weighs at least 9 kilos. However, you can continue to have them travel facing backward longer depending on the model of your seat.
Leaving the straps too loose
A car seat is guaranteed safe when used properly. The harness that secures your child in their seat is of paramount importance and must be perfectly adjusted to their size.
In winter, it is recommended to remove overly thick layers that can make it challenging to adjust the straps. Some car seats have integrated covers to cover them if needed.
Here’s a small tip to check that the harness straps are tight enough: place an index finger between the harness and your child’s chest and see if you cannot grab or pinch the strap.
If possible, you should tighten the straps.
The baby car seat touching the front seat
Take care to ensure that the baby seat does not touch the front seat. The occupant detection system that activates the front airbag can be disrupted if the baby seat touches it, creating additional hazards for the passenger.
To check this and the specifics related to your case, it’s crucial to consult your vehicle’s manual and that of the car seat.
Not deactivating the airbag
Many parents continue to install their children in the front when they are alone driving to keep an eye on them. This practice, although questionable, poses a risk for the child. It is essential to deactivate the front passenger airbag when transporting your child in this position. If it were to deploy, its explosion could cause significant damage to your baby’s seat and thus to this young passenger.
Starting the installation without consulting the manual
Each baby car seat comes with a specific manual detailing the fastening and usage instructions. Always read it at least once to obtain all the necessary information and ensure you don’t miss anything.
Indeed, some seats have specific instructions, which would be a pity to ignore.
Your children’s safety is the most important
Car seat safety is not child’s play. Where to install the car seat? How to install the car seat? So many common questions for parents.
We hope our guide has helped you, and above all, that you’ve understood why it’s so crucial to install the seat correctly.
Your child is your most precious possession, and it’s vital to mitigate as much risk as possible on the road. Poor seat installation can cause discomfort for the child but also put them in danger.
