Perhaps the most valuable investment you can make for your child’s safety is the proper car seat. 5 percent of the time, at least according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2005 study. Misusing the safety restraints was the big area where people messed up, according to the study. The child’s parents don’t want to make the harness strap or the safety belt attachments too tight, so they typically swing the other way and make them far too loose to do any good. Sadly, it is these mistakes that are the most common that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration calls ‘critical,’ as they hold some of the greatest amounts of potential danger to the baby.

{So how do you know make sense of keeping your newborn safe?}

Strive to get the perfect seat for your child’s particular age and weight and then make sure you put the seat in the correct position once you do. Many infant car seats allow you to place your child in a rear-facing position, provided that he or she is under a year old and less than 20 pounds. Infant-only seats are designed for younger, smaller babies, so they are a good choice for your newborn; they offer a good fit and are conveniently small and portable. For your child’s protection, always place the infant only car seat in the back seat and always make sure it is positioned facing the rear.

Many convertible seats are also available which accommodate your child’s growth spurts. As can be expected, the convertible style of car seat is larger, to accommodate growth, and not as portable. Again, weight and age are important when determining the proper position for the child’s seat; if the child is younger than one year and under the twenty pound requirement, the seat should be rear facing. Convertible seats can then be put in a forward-facing position once the child reaches the age or weight requirement, until they reach a maximum weight of 40 pounds. It doesn’t matter which seat you choose for the child; what does matter is that you use it correctly. Always read both the vehicle guides and the instructional manuals that come with all safety seats before you buckle your child in. Two buckles must be fastened correctly: the one in car seat and the buckle connecting the seat to the car. You can be one of the parents who actually get the harness strap position right if you place the harness in the right slot position and make sure it is a snug – not loose – fit around the baby’s chest. Convertible car seats require the straps going into slots above or equal to shoulder length; for infant seats, they should go below. Most harness clips that connect the harness straps – that should always be not twisted – are designed for armpit height, but check your owner manual to be sure.

Things to keep in mind about the seat belt are that many do not fasten them correctly; to avoid becoming one of those parents, make sure the belt is slid through the correct path and recline the seat by an angle of 45 degrees. For added security, a rolled up towel under the base helps. Tighten the seat belt, as needed, to ensure the restraint is secured to your vehicle. The vehicle ownership manual and the car seat manufacturer guide will help you install your car seat in a LATCH system car. If you purchase a seat that is not new, make sure you check it’s age and condition. As we have seen, manufacturer’s instructions are vital, so you should never buy a seat that doesn’t come with them; also do not purchase a seat that is more than five years old. Any seat you purchase should of course include all its parts; ask the previous owner whether or not it has been in an accident and avoid purchase if it has.