3 Universal Car Seat Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

​One of the essential things that you should know about car safety is your car seat. This is true, especially with those who have kids. Here are some of the common mistakes in installing a car seat and how you can avoid them. 

Not Installing the Seat Tightly
It is critical that you check if you have installed the car seat tightly. Whether you install it using the UAS anchor points or with the seatbelts, your child’s seat shouldn’t have enough room for it to wiggle. Here are some things that you can do to check to make sure it is tightly secured: 

• Give the seat a firm shake; it shouldn’t move more than an inch. If it does,  tighten the straps. 
• If you are using anchor points and it doesn’t seem to get the seat installed tight enough, then you could try installing it using a lap belt, which is much easier to secure. 

It is different for each car and seat, so you’d really need to figure out what will work out with you. You can always ask for aid from the expert. 

Installing the Car Seat in the Front
Changing the place of the car seat can help decrease the possibility of children suffering an injury or death in an accident. If your kid’s age is between 4-8 years, then it is vital that you let them sit in the backseat until they reach the age of 13. The car seat should always be in the backseat, whether they are in a booster seat, forward-facing, or rear-facing. 

Incorrect Position of the Harness
Another error that people tend to make when it comes to a car seat is the improper position of the harness. If the straps of the car seat do not correctly rest on your child’s body, then they won’t be able to get the max level of protection. Here’s a guide to help you with how you properly install the harness: 

• Forward Facing Car Seats – if there are several straps, use the ones that are below or at your child’s shoulder level. Ensure that the belts are tight enough that you won’t be able to insert more than one finger underneath it. 
• Infant Car Seats – if you are using 3 or 5-point harnesses, the belts should be comfortable enough that you can only slide a finger underneath it. The chest clips should be at armpit level. It is also ideal that your kids are not wearing any bulky clothing. 
• If your child switches to a booster seat, it is essential that it moves the seatbelt in the safest position. The neck strap should lie across their chest and the lap belt should fit snugly over the thighs. 

Conclusion
It is vital that you do not take the installation of car seats for granted. You can do the research to know about your car seat, as having knowledge about this will give you a notion of what you can do to ensure your child’s safety. Getting an insurance plan can help provide you with peace of mind as you and your loved one can be protected in case of an accident.

At American Eagle Insurance, we aim to provide comprehensive insurance policies that make your life easier. We want to help you get the insurance that fits your needs. You can get more information about our products and services by calling our agency at (225) 667-7377. Get your free quote today by CLICKING HERE.