Car Seat Safety. This is one of those huge pet peeves of mine…. I mean, everyone and their brother knows you need to get a car seat when you have a baby, but I feel like that’s almost the end of the education. Maybe you take it to a car seat safety check to make sure it’s installed properly, and that’s GREAT, but there’s so much more to know.
I’ll admit there were things I didn’t know and things I did wrong, too. Yes, parents can do some research, but this is one of those things I didn’t realize I had to google. How to breastfeed? Yea. What to do when kids get sick? Definitely. What green poop means? Sure. But you think you buy a car seat, install it correctly, and you’re good to go.
No. And I see photos all the time of kids improperly buckled in their car seats. Let’s fix this, people!!! HOW?! AWARENESS. Education. Spread the word! That’s how I learned. Someone told me… I read about it on another blog… I started reading safety articles…
Britax has a new campaign with their car seats… Safety You Can See. Love that! It includes:
- HUGS with SafeCell Technology
- Side impact protection
- Base with SafeCell Technology
- Energy absorbing versa-tether
- Integrated steel bars
To show you the safety examples, I’m using the Pavilion 70-G3 from Britax in the Blueprint fabric. We’ve used it forward-facing for Ryan and rear-facing for Rebecca. It’s easy to install either way and fits both children. The following safety points are things I chose to point out because they were things I possibly didn’t realize or know about in the beginning.
SAFETY POINT #1: use your car seat properly with the specified height and weight limits. Different car seats have different rear- and forward-facing capabilities–make sure you’re not using beyond the recommended height or weight. If you’re using the latch system in your car, you also need to check your car’s specific limits.
This Britax Pavilion seat rear-faces from 5 to 40 lb or up to 49 inches tall. That’s incredible, especially because rear-facing is now recommended until at least 2 years of age.
SAFETY POINT #2: The chest clip goes AT THE CHEST. Specifically, it needs to be in line with the armpits. Why? To make sure those straps stay on your child’s shoulders (so they don’t come loose, fall down, and eject your child from the seat during a crash!) AND because a chest clip that’s too low can cause injury to internal organs in the abdominal region.
The HUGS on the Britax Pavilion help remind me to make sure my chest clip is always in the right position. It likely has to be adjusted every time you buckle your child in.
SAFETY POINT #3: The upper straps of the harness need to be at or below your child’s shoulders if rear-facing and at or above your child’s shoulders if forward facing.
Previously,this was a huge hassle to me and I hated moving the straps in my kid’s car seats. But the Pavilion… is simply awesome. It has a a quick-adjust with no rethreading of the straps. In the image below, see the black handle at the top that says “Pavilion 70-G3?” It’s like a lever and you simply slide it up and down to adjust the height. LOVE IT. Especially when I switch this seat between my two kids.
SAFETY POINT #4: Especially with winter coming this one is really important… your child should not wear their heavy coats in the car seat. If you want a great visual as to why, buckle your kid in their seat with their coat ON. Tighten and adjust the harness as normal. Now, take your child out (without changing the harness), remove their coat, and put them back in. Buckle the harness and just look at how much excess space there is in that harness! If you were in a car accident and your child had their coat ON, the harness is too loose for proper protection…. not safe. Harness straps need to be snug with no slack. Instead, dress your child in layers and once you get to the car, take the coat OFF, buckle them in and have them put their coat on backwards (on their arms, like a snuggie blanket).
SAFETY POINT #5: Some miscellaneous tips–car seats expire, don’t buy used unless you know the history (any car accidents?) and expiration date, don’t submerge the harness (wipe clean). Read the manual! And register your purchase so you can be notified of any recalls.
GIVEAWAY: one lucky reader will win their own Britax Pavilion 70-G3 convertible car seat! MSRP $339.99. Please use the form below to enter–good luck! And be safe! 😉
Not to be a know it all but I knew all these things 😉 But I’m always surprised how many people don’t!
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babydickey Reply:
November 11th, 2012 at 5:10 pm
Haha 😉
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I knew them too and agree it’s crazy how many don’t!
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babydickey Reply:
November 11th, 2012 at 5:11 pm
Agreed! I feel like it’s more likely that we (bloggers) know about them because we’re in this space… reading blogs, online all day, haha. I mean, that’s how I learned these things! But when Ryan was first born? Nope, didn’t know!
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I think there’s always something new to learn! I thought I knew pretty much everything after a lot of research but late in the game I learned that you aren’t supposed to wash (submerge) car seat straps. I had no clue – and most manufacturers will replace them for free if you need new ones.
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babydickey Reply:
November 11th, 2012 at 5:12 pm
Ohhh, see I didn’t know that! Good to know most replace straps if you need new ones, that’s great!
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Car seats expire..!!! I never knew that
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Learned about the safe cell features/locations of the Britax ~ thanks.
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Don’t submerge the harness, wipe clean. That will be hard for me to do, am I the only one with messy kids?!
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I knew all this already as well. But a question… I get my sons harness tight at the shoulders, but in his marathon there is ahuge gap by his stomach… But the straps don’t go tighter. Any ideas?
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Bekah Reply:
March 9th, 2013 at 3:23 pm
You are supposed to NOT be able to pinch the straps at only the collar bone area. The stomach and other areas are okay as long as it passes the collar bone pinch test.
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babydickey Reply:
March 10th, 2013 at 5:04 pm
Eek, I missed this question before, thank you so much for answering Bekah!! 🙂
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I learned to take their coats off before getting in their seats.
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I knew all those safety tips but they are always good reminder to read through! I like the adjustable shoulder straps though because like you that always was something I postponed adjusting.
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I love tip #3 The upper straps of the harness need to be at or below your child’s shoulders if rear-facing and at or above your child’s shoulders if forward facing.
It’s very simple but often done wrong!
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I did know this, but I needed the reminder…that babies shouldn’t wear heavy coats in their carseats.
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Don’t put your child in the car seat with their coat on!
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I didn’t know that you weren’t supposed to submerge the straps. I’ve already put ours in the washer several times. oops!
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Thankfully I do these things! This was an AWESOME post, btw–the pics, the safety tips. You did a great job!
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safety cell feature
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I am kind of a car seat freak so I do all of these things. In fact, my 3.5 year old still rear faces. But one thing I did not know was about wiping the straps. I have put them in water before. Thanks for the info! This is very important info to pass around!
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um wow.. i always toss the straps in the washer! i never realized that.. maybe i need to READ. Anyways only spot cleaning from now on!!!
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Did not know you shouldnt submerge the straps 🙁 oops!! Good to know!! Thanks
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No heavy coats when your kids are in the car seat. Also, put your knee in the seat when installing to tighten the belts.
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Hm didn’t know it should be above shoulders when forward facing. Must check 🙂
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Actually, I had a duh! moment. I don’t think I registered our car seat and never thought about recalls. Oops.
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your child should not waer heavy coats in the car seat
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I didn’t know point #3, about how the height of the straps is different for front or rear facing. Thanks for the great info and amazing giveaway!!
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I haven’t registered ours yet – must do that now! Lots of great tips – I haven’t been putting on a coat for M but didn’t think of doing it backwards! I stay in the back with her with a blanket.
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I am glad I researched these things prior to having my daughter, but this is a great post to share with friends who are expecting.
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I love the safety you can see page on the Britax site! You’re right, I see kids loosely buckled all.the.time! It frustrates me so much
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I learned that car seats expire! I had no idea!!
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Car seats had a expire day
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Not necessarily something I learned…. but rather something very important I was reminded of: to register the car seat. I often forget to do this with a lot of my kid stuff and it is so important for recalls!
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I didn’t register my carseat, but I randomly check for recalls on most of my baby gear.
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I had no idea that car seats expire
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Love this post and I so want to get a Britax Pavilion. I did know most of this stuff but i think it is always a good reminder and something great to show others with kids and others that take car of your own kid.
Thanks!
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SAFETY POINT #3: The upper straps of the harness need to be at or below your child’s shoulders if rear-facing and at or above your child’s shoulders if forward facing.
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I loved the tip about not using a coat in the car seat. I wasn’t sure what to do when my baby is bundled up! Thanks for sharing.
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I had no idea you weren’t supposed to submerge the harness to clean. Luckily I haven’t had to deal with that, but now I know!
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I did not know that you should not submerge the harness!
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I learned that your child should never wear a heavy coat while in the car seat!
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I had no idea car seats expire: Some miscellaneous tips – car seats expire,
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I was actually already aware of them bc I’m a bit of a stickler on carseat stuff =) Did you know a twisted strap can decrease the efficacy of the seat by 50%? I learned that from a friend of mine who’s uncle was some parachute guy.
Probably one of the least known things though I think is the coat one. I try to spread the word as much as possible for people to take the coat off! Thanks for the great post!!
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One of the most interesting things that I’ve learned about carseat safety is not to get the harness wet (with cleaner or just water).
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That car seats expired. I am surprised I thought they were good till they broke or something
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I learned that “This Britax Pavilion seat rear-faces from 5 to 40 lb or up to 49 inches tall. That’s incredible, especially because rear-facing is now recommended until at least 2 years of age.” — Every car seat is different, and the fact that this model can be rear-facing for longer is great!
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Don’t put your child in the car seat with their coat on
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I learned about the importance of side impact protection!
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I learned The upper straps of the harness need to be at or below your child’s shoulders if rear-facing and at or above your child’s shoulders if forward facing.
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I learned that the upper straps of the harness need to be at or above your child’s shoulders if forward facing. This is how my grandson sits now so I will double check that!
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Do not put them in heavy coats in the carseat! Didnt know!
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I learned that the upper straps of the harness need to be at or below your child’s shoulders if rear-facing and at or above your child’s shoulders if forward facing.
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I didn’t know that you shouldn’t submerge the harness.
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I learned that your child should not wear their heavy coats in the car seat.
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I’ve been eyeing a Britax convertible… I think my boy is gonna grow out of his infant car seat before we know it!
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The heavy coat rule was news to me. Seem impractical for the cold winters. The last thing you want to do is take OFF your kid’s coat!
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Kids shouldn’t wear heavy coats in their carseat!
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wow. I didn’t know that car seats expire
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I do tons of carseat research. I am glad to see the recomedation for RR finally being at least 2 years old.
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I already knew a lot of this stuff thru lots of research myself to keep my baby safe but I really love that you point out about winter coats and rear facing till 2 yrs. Also that car seats expire… a lot of people don’t know or don’t care but it is real and they are not safe after expiration. I wish people would take those expiration dates more seriously
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I learned that you shouldn’t submerge the harness.
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I learned not to submerge the harness- to wipe clean only. I had no idea this relates to safety?! Interesting!
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I love the idea of putting the coat on backwards like a snuggie! I always knew not to put it on under the straps and I always put a blanket over their lap but the arms would get cold, now I have a new tip!
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car seats expire!!!!
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I didn’t realize how much safer children are in the rear-facing position.
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I wasn’t positive that the specific height-weight requirements for rear-facing (in a seat that can go either way) mean it can’t be used rear-facing past that limit. I always wondered, and now I’m really annoyed because I think we’re using our seat incorrectly and I really don’t want to turn him around! But the seat is really new. Bah humbug! But safety first obviously. I’ll have to read more on it and get a professional eval.
Good point that in every other parenting issue, we ask for help, yet we assume we can install a car seat on our own the very first time.
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No heavy coats in the car seat.
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You should not put your child in their seat with a heavy coat on.
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not to use a winter coat while in the car seat unless its on backwards
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Not to put my child in her car seat with a winter coat! I never knew that! Thank you!
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car seats have expiration dates!
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I didn’t know that car seats expire
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I never knew you shouldn’t use a winter coat in a car seat.
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i did not know you shouldnt submerge the harness!! i also didnt know that car seats expire!
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shouldn’t submerge the harness
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I learned that on the winter time, coat is not allowed to be used in the car seat.
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i learned that car seats expire so you should never buy a used one
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I learned that kids should never wear their winter bulky jackets in the car seat!
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Car seats have expiration dates. Who knew??
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Much safer in rear facing position – best to keep as long as possible!
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Heavy coats are a no no…which I totally failed on that one as I left my daughter’s coat on her the other day in the car seat.
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I had no clue that car seats expired! Thank you for the tip. 🙂
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I learned that I should take off a heavy winter coat before I buckle up my daughter. I never thought of that, but it makes sense now.
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register your purchase so you can be notified of any recalls.
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I always forget about the expiration date on car seats, it’s a good reminder to check it.
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As a CPST these are all things I’m aware of and try to educate parents on! Good job!
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I learned that children should not wear winter coats while in the car seat.
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never buy used!
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I have learned rear-facing is best, no puffy coats in the seat, don’t wash the harness,and never use and expired seat or a seat that has been in an accident.
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I didn’t know that you shouldn’t submerge the harness!
acartwrightmorell at gmail dot com
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no heavy coats in the car seat
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I didn’t realize carseats expire! I knew it was important to never buy used/borrow, etc, but not that they can expire as well.
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don’t submerge the harness
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Always check your car seat’;s height and weight requirements!
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had no idea car seats expired!
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I learned that heavy coats shouldn’t be worn in a car seat 🙂
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I learned that children should not wear their heavy coats in their car seats!
priscillavbenavides@yahoo.com
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I was just having a conversation about this on facebook. I get the stink eye sometimes from the folks at my daughter’s school. They take the kids out of the cars in the carpool line and she is never wearing her coat in the car and they have to put it on her when she gets out. But it is because it IS NOT SAFE for her to wear it in the car!!!
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I learned that carseats expire
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Kids shouldn’t wear heavy coats in their carseat!
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dont suburge the harness! wipe clean only.
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I never knew, or thought about it, but children shouldn’t wear heavy coats in their car seats.
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I learned that they shouldn’t wear their winter coat in the car seat
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I didn’t know about not wearing heavy coats in the car seat. It’s nice to know now!
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the clip needs to be in line with the armpit
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I learned that car seats expire and if the car seat to stay safe you should not use them past the expiration date
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I learned that babies should have their winter coats off in the carseat.
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I learned that we are expecting a baby…. I know not what you asked but I am excited
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My daughter is due in a few months and this is the best!
I learned that :SAFETY POINT #3: The upper straps of the harness need to be at or below your child’s shoulders”
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Children shouldn’t wear heavy coats in car seats
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