Car Seat Safety: What Every New Parent Needs to Know

The Alarming Reality

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 73% of car seats are installed incorrectly. That means nearly 3 out of every 4 babies aren't getting the protection their car seat was designed to provide.

Car crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 1-13 in the United States. When used correctly, car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by:

• 71% for infants
• 54% for toddlers

But those statistics only hold true when the car seat is installed and used correctly. Even small errors can dramatically reduce protection.

Common Car Seat Mistakes

As a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST), I see the same mistakes over and over. Most parents have no idea they're doing anything wrong.

1. Loose Installation

The #1 mistake. A properly installed car seat should move less than 1 inch side-to-side or front-to-back at the belt path. Most parents don't realize how tight it needs to be—they stop when it "feels" secure, but that's rarely secure enough.

Quick test: Grab the car seat at the belt path (not the top) and try to move it. If it moves more than an inch in any direction, it's too loose.

2. Incorrect Recline Angle

Rear-facing car seats need to be at a specific angle (usually 30-45 degrees) to keep your baby's airway open. Too upright and their head can fall forward, restricting breathing. Too reclined and they won't be protected in a crash.

Most car seats have a level indicator—but many parents don't know to check it or adjust accordingly.

3. Harness Problems

Common harness mistakes include:

• Too loose: You shouldn't be able to pinch any slack at the shoulder
• Wrong height: For rear-facing, straps should be at or below shoulders; for forward-facing, at or above
• Chest clip placement: Should be at armpit level, not on the belly or neck
• Twisted straps: Reduce the harness's effectiveness

4. Using LATCH and Seatbelt Together

Unless your car seat manual specifically says otherwise, you should use either the LATCH system or the seatbelt to install—not both. Using both doesn't make it safer and can actually cause problems.

5. Aftermarket Accessories

Those cute strap covers, head supports, and seat protectors you see online? If they didn't come in the box with your car seat, they're not crash-tested with it. Some aftermarket products can actually interfere with the car seat's safety features.

6. Winter Coat Danger

Puffy winter coats compress in a crash, creating slack in the harness. This extra space can allow your baby to be ejected from the seat. Instead: strap baby in without the coat, then put a blanket over them.

When to Get a Professional Car Seat Check

I recommend scheduling a car seat check:

• Before baby is born — Practice installing without a squirming newborn!
• After hospital discharge — Confirm everything is still correct
• When you switch car seats — Moving from infant to convertible seat
• After a crash — Even minor fender-benders
• When moving to a new vehicle — Different cars require different techniques
• If anything feels "off" — Trust your instincts!

What Happens at a Car Seat Check?

A professional car seat check with a CPST includes:

• Review of your specific car seat — Every model is different
• Hands-on installation — You'll do the installation while I guide you
• Harness fitting with baby — Teaching you proper strap adjustments
• Vehicle-specific tips — Working around your car's unique features
• Question time — No question is too small
• Reference materials — So you can do it right every time

The goal isn't to install it for you—it's to teach you so you can confidently install and adjust the seat whenever needed.

Quick Safety Checklist

Before every trip, do a quick check. It takes less than a minute:

1. Installation: Does the seat move less than 1 inch at the belt path?
2. Angle: Is the recline indicator in the correct zone?
3. Harness: Can you pinch any slack at the shoulder? (You shouldn't be able to)
4. Chest clip: Is it at armpit level?
5. Straps: Are they flat, not twisted?
6. Clothing: Is baby in light layers, no puffy coat?

Why I Got CPST Certified

Most doulas don't offer car seat safety checks. So why did I pursue this certification?

Because I watched too many new parents drive away from the hospital with incorrectly installed car seats. Because 73% is an unacceptable number. Because a car seat check is one of the most impactful things I can offer a family—it takes 30 minutes and could save a life.

For my doula clients, I include a car seat check as part of our prenatal visits. It's just one more way I help families prepare for baby's safe arrival.

Find a Certified Technician

If you're not in my service area, you can find a certified CPST near you at cert.safekids.org. Many fire stations, hospitals, and baby stores also offer free or low-cost car seat checks.

Please—whether it's with me or another CPST—get your car seat checked. Your baby's safety is worth the extra step.