A friend of mine has gathered all this information. I've researched a bit as well, and it's all pretty accurate and all VERY important. The first thing on the list is one of the biggest ones to me--I've seen lots of people do this incorrectly and it's VERY dangerous to the kiddos. Her carseat recommendations are based on safety and also weight limits--which ones you can keep in use the longest.
Please don't blow this off... 9 out of 10 car seats are used wrong! That is right... 9 of 10. So here's some important things that you really need to make sure about, every time! It can be the difference between life and death.
This information is based on US safety standards and seats.
~IT'S A CHEST CLIP NOT A BELLY CLIP
The chest clip should be at armpit level and not on the belly. If you put it on the belly, in an accident, the child's shoulders can go through the belt and they can whip forward. (an add-on from me, Stefanie: I also suspect that having it on the belly could cause some serious injuries to the child in the case of the accident. The belly isn't as solid as the chest and having that pressure placed there...I just don't think it could be good)
General Seat Info:
~The best seat... Is one that you use right every time. It fits your car well and you can get a good, tight install with it. You should have no more than 1" of movement to either side. The less the better.
~Latch vs.Seatbelt The best choice is the one that gets the BEST install in your car. However, you can not use both at once. This can impair the car seat's ability to react in the case of an accident. In other words, it isn't tested for it and can pass to many G-forces to your child's chest, critically injuring your child's chest. Always defer to your car seat manual and your car manual with questions regarding latch and seat belt installs.
In addition:
-never share latch points. Only one seat per latch point.
-don't use the latch in the center if your car doesn't have it.
~All about your 5 pt harness... The child seat's harness should be snug enough that you can't pinch any slack at the top of the child's shoulders.
-For rear-facing, the harness should be at or below the child's shoulders.
-For front-facing children, the harness should be at or above the child's shoulders.
~Hugs and Shoulder Padding
On a Britax seat, the HUGS are those plastic things around the chest clip. They must be used with a forward facing child and protect the child's chest. They are optional only when rear facing.Shoulder padding should be on the FRONT of the shoulders. This again protects the child's shoulders from the actual belting when in an accident.
~Hidden Dangers
The puffy coat: In an accident, they can compress, causing the child to move more or potentially even slip out. A good rule of thumb - if the harness fits snugly without the coat and you have to loosen it to buckle up with the coat, it's too puffy.
Hard toys: In an accident, they can become projectiles and cause injury to both child and passengers. Soft toys are best.
The tether: Yes, that thing that is there for safety can be a problem! There have been a number of reports where the extra length of the tether gets shut in the door, caught in the wheel, and rips the car seat dangerously toward the door. Make sure to tie all excess tether tightly and store securely INSIDE your car.
The Passed Down Carseat Unless you are 100% sure that the car has not been in an accident and the car seat has been thoroughly checked, don't use it.
~Under the Seat Mats Should not impair the install of the seat. Using a thin towel is just as effective. Your leather WILL dent with a really good install regardless of having a seat protector... but it will bounce back.
~On Extended Rear Facing: The new AAP recommendation is that you keep your child rear facing to the limits of the seat. For most this is between 30-35 lbs and 36" tall.Even though their legs may seem cramped, they are fine. There is a lot of debate surrounding this one. But, not one child has ever been reported as having had their legs broken in an accident because they were rear facing.Videos to see the difference:
Rear facing accident: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qef1TXZ05Dg
Forward facing accident: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMFPSStXfqE
~Accidents: Car seats must be replaced in the case of an accident. It is that simple. Even if you don't see damage, the car seat has absorbed the impact and may have small fractures you would never see.
About insurance: Not all car insurance companies cover car seats if you are at fault. For some (safeco for instance), it is covered under personal property and through your homeowner's insurance. However, if you are not found to be at fault, the faulty party's insurance will cover it. Buy a new one, keep the receipt and let your case worker know that it needs to be taken care of!
~Car Seats Expire
Yes, they do. Most have a 6 year lifespan. This is from the manufacture date on the car seat. You must replace them after this time.Why? Because the materials break down and are no longer guaranteed to protect in the case of an accident.Near Future Reference:
~Latch has limits That's right. You have to stop using latch at some point and do a seatbelt only instal. This depends on two things: your car and your car seat.
Car latch limits: http://www.saferidenews. com/pdfs/LATCHApp_B_pg105.pdf
Seat latch limits will be printed in the manual or on the side sticker. Britax is 48 lbs.~Top Tether Required When avaliable, use the top tether. Britax and one other brand are the ONLY ones with RF tethers. Always use FF tethers as they will help hold the impact better.Never share a tether point with another seat. Check your car's manual to see if you are supposed to route your tether over or under a head rest. It will also tell you where your tether points are. Not all cars have a center tether location.
~Boosters It is recommended to keep your child in a 5 pt harness as long as possible. These seats give you the most protection in an accident. Some newer seats make this possible until 80 lbs! Use that protection.
Here is a video of the difference between 5 pt and just a booster in an accident (note: the booster is closer to the camera): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2kO8AxKbrM
A child must be in a booster if you can NOT answer YES to ALL of the following:
1) Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2) Do the child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3) Does the shoulder portion of the seat belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4) Is the lap portion of the seat belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
5) Will the child stay seated like this for the whole trip? A high back booster is much better than a low or no back booster.
A number of these have latch... this is so that an empty car seat does not become a projectile in the case of an accident.
If you have a forward facing car seat, it is the safest in the center. Yes, even if you have an infant.If you must put a child on an outboard seat, put a rear facing child in that position. The rear facing child is 5x safer than a forward facing child just by being rear facing.
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