Common Misuse with Rear-Facing Car Seats
Are you using your child’s safety seat correctly? According to the National Digital Car Seat Check Form (NDCF) database, 70% of rear-facing carseats inspected by Child Passenger Safety Technicians in 2023 were improperly installed and used. We’re sharing the most common errors with rear-facing car seats, and how to avoid them.
Common Misuse
Whether your seat is installed using the LATCH or a seat belt, we see seats are often installed too loose.
Recommendation
The car seat should not move side-to-side or front-to-back more than one inch when tested at the belt path. The belt path is the place on a car seat where a seat belt or lower anchor attachment is placed to secure it in the vehicle. Learn from Safe Kids on how to take the “inch test” with a rear-facing car seat. Watch now.
Common Misuse
The lower anchors and seat belt are used together to install the car seat.
Recommendation
In order to install using both, it must be allowed by both the vehicle manufacturer and the car seat manufacturer. Review the vehicle owner's manual and car seat manufacturers’ instructions for guidance.
Common Misuse
The harness is in the wrong slot.
Recommendation
- Adjust the harness height. For rear-facing seats, the harness should go through the slots at or below the child's shoulders.
Common Misuse
The harness is too loose.
Recommendation
- Learn from Safe Kids on how to take the “pinch test” with a rear-facing car seat. Watch now.
- Learn about 5 general methods to obtain a proper harness fit (see below).
Harness Adjustment & Fit
Follow the general methods below to obtain a proper harness fit, and don’t forget to refer to your car seat instruction manual for more information.
- Place the child with their back and bottom against the back of the car seat.
- Adjust the harness height. For rear-facing seats, the harness should go through the slots at or below the child’s shoulders.
- Buckle the harness and the chest clip. Make sure the harness lies flat and isn't twisted. Tighten until snug. (Tip: The harness is snug when you cannot pinch any extra material at the shoulder). Learn more.
- Place the retainer clip at armpit level.
- If there are multiple buckle strap positions, adjust per the car seat instruction manual. The buckle strap should be close to the child’s body but the child should not be sitting on the strap.
Source: National Child Passenger Safety Board.
Common Misuses with Other Child Safety Seats
