Car seat safety is an important focus for parents – and expectant parents. Car seats save children’s lives, and that education is crucial for parents and caregivers to make informed decisions about car seat safety.
At Evenflo, our car seat engineers work every day to bring parents the latest in functionality and style, with safety being a foremost concern. All of our car seats are designed and tested for structural integrity at energy levels approximately two times the federal standard.
Besides car seat safety, another important factor parents should consider is car seat installation. Proper installation of a car seat is critical for car seat effectiveness, but it can be challenging, especially for new parents.
Fortunately, certified car seat technicians are in your community to check for proper installation and fit for your child, or even install your child's car seat in your vehicle for you. The best news is that it’s FREE!
In March, Evenflo hosted a continuing education class for our staff car seat technicians, as well as local police, fire and obstetric professionals. Continuing education for car seat technicians is critical, as car seat guidelines continue to evolve and state laws change.
Here are some highlights of proper car seat use:
§ Select a car seat based on your child's age, height, and weight and make sure you read the corresponding limits for the car seat you are purchasing.
§ Follow your car seat manufacturer's instructions and your vehicle’s owner's manual on how to install the seat, after reading all the instructions completely.
§ Once installed, make sure the seat doesn’t move back and forth or side to side more than one inch, in any direction.
§ If using a harness, make sure it is snug on your child and not twisted, and the chest clip is placed at arm pit level.
§ If using a belt-positioning booster, the shoulder belt should fit snugly across you child's chest, crossing the shoulder between the neck and arm. The lap belt should fit snug and low over the hips and thighs.
§ Keep your child in a car seat or booster until they can sit properly in a seat belt. For most kids this is around 8 years old or 4’ 9” tall. Check your local state for child restraint law requirements.
Remember – if you’re not sure your seat is installed correctly, find a certified car seat technician in your community for a safety check.
Other helpful information:
Car seat guidelines
Finding a certified car seat installation technician
Download the Pregnant Woman’s Guide to Buckling Up
