5 Deadly Mistakes You May Be Making With Your Child’s Carseat

by Jennifer Corter August 13, 2014

by Jennifer Corter 5.4K views

When the time comes that we have children of our own, as parents, we make sure that we do everything within our power to keep them safe and out of harm’s way. We baby-proof our homes, make certain that their cribs are free from anything that can harm them, and of course, we do our best to purchase the safest car-seats possible. Car-seats are meant to be one of the best protection devices for our kids, and while we do our best to stay up-to-date on all of the latest information, sometimes we end up making mistakes. The most important thing is to seek the help of a professional if you are unsure of whether or not your carseat is buckled into your vehicle properly. Most police stations will do this at no cost to you. It only takes a few minutes, and could save your child’s life in the event of an accident. Below are the ten most common mistakes with car-seats.

#1 – Harness Straps Need To Be Snug

Loose harness straps can lead to an elevated risk of injury during an accident, and in some cases, can even cause the child to eject from the seat, resulting in serious and possibly fatal injuries. According to Treading Raging Waters, the easiest and quickest way to check if the harness straps are too loose is to perform what is called a “pinch test.” In the pinch test, use your index finger and thumb and attempt to “pinch” the harness strap at your child’s collarbone level. If you can pinch the strap, the harness is not tight enough. You are aiming to not be able to have any of the harness fabric in between your fingers when you pinch. Adjust accordingly, but make certain that the straps are not too tight that they dig into your child’s skin, which can make them uncomfortable.