Frequent automotive seat issues — and the right way to repair them : NPR

[ad_1] <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/2048x1365+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fad%2Fe8%2F4289245f442f989688437c3fa7cf%2F1-lk-car-seat-safety-lead-harlan.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/2048x1365+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fad%2Fe8%2F4289245f442f989688437c3fa7cf%2F1-lk-car-seat-safety-lead-harlan.jpg" class="img" alt="A young boy sits in a car set in a car while Elizabeth Kanagawa demonstrates how to adjust the harness of the car seat." fetchpriority="high"/> Elizabeth Kanagawa, an authorized youngster passenger security technician, demonstrates the right way to alter the harness of a automotive seat. She can be the proprietor of Three Littles, a kids's retailer that sells automotive seats and strollers, amongst different gadgets, in Washington, D.C. Beck Harlan for NPR cover caption

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Beck Harlan for NPR Mother and father, are you certain you have bought your child's automotive seat put in proper?

Chances are high, most likely not, says Emily Thomas, affiliate director for auto security at Client Studies. She can be a mother and has a Ph.D. within the biomechanics of pediatric accidents, akin to automotive accident accidents. "Automotive seat misuse charges are fairly excessive proper now."

Based on knowledge from the Nationwide Digital Automotive Seat Examine Type (NDCF), 74% of the just about 60,000 automotive seats that youngster passenger security technicians (CPSTs) checked in 2025 weren't getting used because the producer supposed. The highest culprits? Misused seat belts, harnesses and tethers.

As arduous as it might be while you're late for that physician's appointment or dashing to soccer apply, Thomas says it's vital to take the additional time to present your kid's automotive seat a once-over. It might be a lifesaving choice.

Site visitors accidents stay a number one reason for dying amongst kids in the US, in keeping with the Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration. Analysis reveals that automotive seats and booster seats can considerably scale back that threat — when used appropriately.

Thomas, who's a CPST, walks us via the highest automotive seat errors — and the right way to repair them. Our information on correct set up is Elizabeth Kanagawa, a CPST and the proprietor of Three Littles, a kids's retailer that sells automotive seats and strollers, amongst different gadgets, in Washington, D.C.

Mistake No. 1: You've got bought seat belt points Practically 60% of automotive seat misuse — and the highest mistake — needed to do with the seat belt, in keeping with the NDCF's 2025 knowledge. That usually means the automotive seat base just isn't secured tightly sufficient to the automotive with the seat belt for some motive, says Thomas.

Tighten and lock that seat belt

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/480x384+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/gif/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F8f%2Feb%2F6b11757d4537b89dac830faafe5c%2Flk-1-too-loose-sized-down-harlan-3.gif" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/480x384+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F8f%2Feb%2F6b11757d4537b89dac830faafe5c%2Flk-1-too-loose-sized-down-harlan-3.gif" class="img" alt="Kanagawa demonstrates what a loose car seat base looks like by shaking it firmly at the base. It is moving from side to side." loading="lazy"/> A automotive seat ought to be securely strapped to your automobile, Kanagawa says. When you can wiggle the bottom round, it is a signal it's possible you'll have to additional tighten your seat belt or LATCH (decrease anchors and tethers for kids) system to your automotive seat. Beck Harlan for NPR cover caption

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Beck Harlan for NPR Think about in case your driver's seat shifted or slid a bit each time you took too large a flip or caught a bump on the street. That is what you wish to keep away from occurring to your kid's automotive seat.

Ensure the seat belt securing the seat is locked and tight, Thomas says. "Pull the seat belt out of the retractor till you hear a click on, which suggests it is switched to locking mode."

Then, slowly feed it again into the retractor whereas making use of agency downward stress with a knee or a hand to the bottom of your automotive seat, says Kanagawa. That ensures it is as safe as attainable.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/480x384+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/gif/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb3%2F81%2Fd503ba8f47f2bfd44a4bc3a2c54f%2Flk-1-correct-sized-down-harlan.gif" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/480x384+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb3%2F81%2Fd503ba8f47f2bfd44a4bc3a2c54f%2Flk-1-correct-sized-down-harlan.gif" class="img" alt="Kanagawa demonstrates what a securely fastened car seat base should look like. She's tugging at the base, and it's not moving." loading="lazy"/> Kanagawa demonstrates what a securely mounted automotive seat base appears like. Beck Harlan for NPR cover caption

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Beck Harlan for NPR The automotive seat should not "transfer greater than 1 inch aspect to aspect or entrance to again while you pull at that belt path," Thomas says. Examine your work while you've completed putting in the bottom of your automotive seat by giving it a agency shake the place you have threaded the seat belt.

Thread it via the designated belt path

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3339x1500+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F70%2F2e%2F2efcc01442efb907ad5a4d843b46%2Flk-car-seat-safety-seat-belt-path-diptych-harlan.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3339x1500+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F70%2F2e%2F2efcc01442efb907ad5a4d843b46%2Flk-car-seat-safety-seat-belt-path-diptych-harlan.jpg" class="img" alt="Convertible or all-in-one car seats have two sets of belt paths: one for the forward-facing position, shown on the left, and one for the rear-facing position, shown on the right." loading="lazy"/> Convertible or all-in-one automotive seats have two units of belt paths: one for the forward-facing place, proven on the left, and one for the rear-facing place, proven on the proper. Beck Harlan for NPR cover caption

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Beck Harlan for NPR One other frequent mistake with seat belts: utilizing the improper belt path. When you're utilizing a convertible or all-in-one automotive seat, there's often one belt path for rear going through and one other for ahead going through. These paths are designed to drag your automotive seat as near the automobile seat as attainable, relying on its orientation.

Have a look at the labels in your automotive seat rigorously, after which route your seat belt via the designated path, Thomas says.

Mistake No. 2: Your harness is wonky The second commonest subject, in keeping with the NDCF's 2025 knowledge, needed to do with the harness, or the set of straps that restrain your child of their automotive seat. Practically 60% of CPSTs discovered that homeowners weren't utilizing them proper.

Alter the peak of the straps

Individuals usually do not understand that the peak of your kid's harness relies on whether or not it is entrance or rear going through, Thomas says. In a automotive accident, forces act in another way relying on the course of the seat, so that you wish to place the harness at a peak that may assist management a toddler's motion and scale back the opportunity of damage.

For a rear-facing seat, place the "harness strap at or barely under your kid's shoulder," she says. For a forward-facing seat, the harness ought to be at or barely above the shoulder.

Do the pinch check

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/2048x1365+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F52%2F9c%2F9db47c2345ba92b6603420e65a8c%2Flk-car-seat-safety-pinch-test-harlan-1.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/2048x1365+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F52%2F9c%2F9db47c2345ba92b6603420e65a8c%2Flk-car-seat-safety-pinch-test-harlan-1.jpg" class="img" alt="Kanagawa pinches the webbing of the harness on a car seat while a young boy sits in the seat. Being able to pinch the webbing means the harness is too loose, she says." loading="lazy"/> When you can pinch the webbing in your kid's harness, as demonstrated within the picture above, it is too unfastened, says Kanagawa. Beck Harlan for NPR cover caption

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Beck Harlan for NPR Your harness ought to maintain in your youngster snugly. To check whether or not the straps are tight sufficient, "pinch the harness webbing at your kid's shoulder together with your thumb and forefinger," Thomas says. You should not have the ability to pinch any webbing, or strap, between your fingers.

Think about the chest clip and crotch buckle

The chest clip — the buckle that connects the shoulder straps collectively — ought to be at your kid's armpit stage, Thomas says. These clips "make sure the automotive seat straps keep over your kid's shoulder in a crash and assist restrain them."

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/2048x1365+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc7%2F14%2Fb9a330814fbb90926d5acb435ef8%2Flk-car-seat-safety-crotch-buckle-harlan-1.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/2048x1365+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc7%2F14%2Fb9a330814fbb90926d5acb435ef8%2Flk-car-seat-safety-crotch-buckle-harlan-1.jpg" class="img" alt="A person points out the crotch-buckle slots on a car seat, while holding the crotch buckle with one hand." loading="lazy"/> The crotch buckle ought to be positioned on the entrance of your kid's lap. In case your youngster is sitting on the buckle, transfer it a slot ahead. Beck Harlan for NPR cover caption

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Beck Harlan for NPR Ensure your youngster is not sitting on the crotch buckle, the fastener between your kid's legs that secures the harness straps collectively. It ought to be positioned simply on the entrance of your kid's lap.

"There's sometimes a number of slots for the crotch buckle, so make the adjustment appropriately for that," Thomas says.

Mistake No. 3: Assuming the tether is optionally available <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1747x1163+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0f%2F44%2F1bee11bc4faf876f33c2db912fcc%2Flk-car-seat-safety-tether-harlan.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1747x1163+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0f%2F44%2F1bee11bc4faf876f33c2db912fcc%2Flk-car-seat-safety-tether-harlan.jpg" class="img" alt="This image shows the tether of a front-facing car seat attached to the vehicle's back seat anchor point." loading="lazy"/> Keep in mind to lock the tether in a front-facing automotive seat. It ought to be straight and tight, says Kanagawa. Beck Harlan for NPR cover caption

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Beck Harlan for NPR The third commonest automotive seat misuse subject needed to do with tethers, in keeping with the NDCF's 2025 knowledge. These lengthy straps hold off your kid's automotive seat, appearing as an extra anchor level for front-facing automotive seats and stopping them from tipping ahead.

Individuals generally overlook this piece or consider it as optionally available, Thomas says, however it's crucial. Connect the tether to your automobile's again seat anchor level. Relying on the automotive, that may be positioned on the rear shelf, seat again, ceiling or flooring.

When you can, preserve your youngster in a rear-facing seat for so long as attainable, as much as the producer's peak or weight restrict, Thomas says. This place is extra protecting within the occasion of a automotive crash.

When unsure, seek the advice of your automotive seat guide (many automotive seats have a useful pocket for simply that motive) or attain out to an area automotive seat set up knowledgeable for assist, says Thomas.