There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.įigure 1 adapted from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The information contained in this publication should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. Information was current at the time of publication.
The AAP is not responsible for the content of external resources. Listing of resources does not imply an endorsement by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Forward-facing–only car safety seat.Īlthough the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is not a testing or standard-setting organization, this publication sets forth the AAP recommendations based on the peer-reviewed literature available at the time of its publication and sets forth some of the factors that parents should consider before selecting and using a car safety seat.
Car seat check md manual#
Check your vehicle owner’s manual and car safety seat instructions for how and when to use the tether and lower anchors.įIGURE 4. It is best to use the tether that comes with your car safety seat to the highest weight allowed by your vehicle and the manufacturer of your car safety seat. Check the owner’s manual to make sure you are installing the seat correctly. Many car safety seats have built-in lock-offs to lock the belt. In most newer cars, you can lock the seat belt by pulling it all the way out and then allowing it to retract to keep the seat belt tight around the car safety seat.
Car seat check md install#
If you install the car safety seat using your vehicle’s seat belt, you must make sure the seat belt locks to keep a tight fit. When the car safety seat is installed, be sure it does not move more than an inch side to side or toward the front of the car. Apply weight into the seat with your hand while tightening the seat belt or LATCH strap. Convertible seats have different belt paths for when they are used rear facing or forward facing (check your instructions to make sure). Route the seat belt or LATCH strap through the correct path. Is the seat belt or LATCH strap in the right place and pulled tight? Convertible car safety seat used rear facing. Remember, weight limits are different for different car safety seats and different vehicles.įIGURE 3. Always follow both the car safety seat and vehicle manufacturer instructions, including weight limits, for lower anchors and tethers. Tether anchors are located behind the seat, either on the panel behind the seat (in sedans) or back of the seat, ceiling, or floor (in most minivans, SUVs, hatchbacks, and pickup trucks). Use the tether for all forward-facing seats, even those installed using the vehicle seat belt. The top tether improves safety provided by the seat. New car safety seats have the maximum weight printed on their label. Check the car safety seat manufacturer’s recommendations for maximum weight a child can be to use lower anchors. All lower anchors are rated for a maximum weight of 65 pounds (total weight includes car safety seat and child). Nearly all passenger vehicles and all car safety seats made on or after September 1, 2002, are equipped to use LATCH. All car safety seats have attachments that fasten to these anchors. Vehicles with the LATCH system have anchors located in the back seat, where the seat cushions meet. These systems are equally safe, but in some cases, it may be easier to install the car safety seat using LATCH.
LATCH (lower anchors and tethers for children) is a car safety seat attachment system that can be used instead of the seat belt to install the seat.