Staff Report / atxlocal.org

Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services in Austin, Texas, provided important guidelines for the proper installation and use of car seats to ensure child safety.

To start, parents and guardians are advised to read the owner's manuals for both their vehicle and car seat. For assistance with installation, parents can seek help from a car seat technician. There are resources available through Safe Kids coalitions, which host seat check-ups and inspection stations across the country. Information on these events can be found at https://events.safekids.org/safety-events.

The back seat is the safest location for all children under the age of 13. However, not all vehicles allow for car seats to be placed in every seating position equipped with a seat belt. It's essential to consult the car owner's manual to identify the appropriate spots for car seat placement and ensure that car seats or boosters for each child are positioned correctly. It is also crucial to confirm that other passengers are secured safely.

To secure a car seat in a vehicle, two methods are available: using a seat belt or the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system. When using a seat belt, it must be routed through the car seat at the designated belt path, which is indicated by arrows or instructions on the car seat itself. For forward-facing seats, a top tether should be used. The LATCH system involves connecting the car seat's lower attachments to the vehicle's anchors, also incorporating a top tether for forward-facing seats. Importantly, parents should use either the seat belt or LATCH system but not both simultaneously.

To check the stability of the car seat, parents can perform the inch test. A properly installed car seat should not move more than 1 inch forward to back or side to side when pulled at the seat belt path. This guideline applies to both forward-facing and rear-facing seats, regardless of the securing method used.

Lastly, it is essential to be aware of the weight limits for using the LATCH system, as detailed on the car seat label. Once a child surpasses this weight limit, parents should switch from LATCH to securing the car seat with the seat belt and top tether.

Source: Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services

Source Type: EMS

Source Location: Austin

Austin, TX

15 Waller St, Austin, TX

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