Road injuries are the leading cause of preventable deaths and injuries among children in the United States. When used correctly, child safety seats can reduce the risk of death by as much as 71 percent.
Engineers are working hard to ensure that cars and car seats are designed to keep kids as safe as possible. But it’s up to every parent to take full advantage of these innovations by making sure car seats and booster seats are used and installed correctly. Here’s what you need to know to ensure that your most precious cargo is safe in cars.
- Seventy-three percent of car seats are not used or installed correctly, so check your car seat before you hit the road. Below is a quick car seat checklist to help you out. It takes only 15 minutes. If you are having even the slightest trouble, questions, or concerns, certified child passenger safety technicians are able to help or even double-check your work.
- Learn how to install your car seat for free. The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office hosts car seat inspection events across the county where certified deputies can help make sure your car seat is properly installed. They will teach you so that you can always be sure your car seat is used correctly.
- Buy a used car seat only if you know its entire crash history. That means you must buy it from someone you know, not from a thrift store or over the Internet. Once a car seat has been in a crash, it needs to be replaced.
- We know that when adults wear seat belts, kids wear seat belts. Be a good example and buckle up for every ride. Be sure everyone in the vehicle buckles up, too.
- Never leave your child alone in a car, not even for a minute. While it may be tempting to dash out for a quick errand, the temperature inside your car can rise 20 degrees and cause heatstroke in the time it takes for you to run in and out of the store.
Car Seat Checklist
- Right Seat. This is an easy one. Check the label on your car seat to make sure it’s appropriate for your child’s age, weight and height. Double-check the expiration date on your car seat label to make sure it is still safe.
- Right Place. Keep all children in the back seat until they are 12.
- Right Direction. You want to keep your child in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible. When they outgrow the seat, move your child to a forward-facing car seat.
- Inch Test. Once your car seat is installed, give it a good shake at the base. Can you move it more than an inch side-to-side or front-to-back? A properly installed seat will not move more than an inch.
- Pinch Test. Make sure the harness is tightly buckled and coming from the correct slots (check car seat manual). Now, with the chest clip placed at armpit level, pinch the strap at your child’s shoulder. If you are unable to pinch any excess webbing, you’re good to go.
Please read the vehicle and car seat instruction manuals to help you with this checklist. If you are having even the slightest trouble, questions, or concerns, certified child passenger safety technicians are waiting to help or even double-check your work.
Choose the Right Direction
For the best protection, keep your baby in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible. You can find the exact height and weight limit (usually located on the side or bottom of your car seat). Kids who ride in rear-facing seats have the maximum protection for the head, neck and spine. Rear-facing children need to ride in a back seat away from the airbag.
When your children outgrow a rear-facing seat, move them to a forward-facing car seat. Keep the seat in the back and make sure to attach the top tether after you tighten and lock the seat belt or lower anchors. Vehicles manufactured after February 2014 will tell you exactly how much your child can weigh and still use the lower anchors and top tether (if available). Check your child restraint and vehicle manuals to see if you can go beyond the weight limit for the top tether. If they both agree to a higher weight, it is fine to follow their directions.
Kids can remain in some forward-facing car seats until they’re 65 to 80 pounds depending on the car seat limits. Check the seat label to find the exact measurements. Discontinue use of the lower anchors or top tether when your child reaches the limits set by your car seat and car manufacturers. You must read the manual to know about those limits. You will then switch to a seat belt that goes through the car seat at that time. Seat belts are made to protect adults as well as smaller children.
Check the Label
Look at the label on your car seat to make sure it’s appropriate for your child’s age, weight and height. Your car seat has an expiration date – usually around six years. Find and double-check the label to make sure it’s still safe.
Is it time for a booster seat?
Take the next step to a booster seat when you answer “yes” to any of these questions:
- Does your child exceed the car seat’s height or weight limits?
- Are your child’s shoulders above the car seat’s top harness slots?
- Are the tops of your child’s ears above the top of the car seat?
If the car seat with a harness still fits, continue to use it until it is outgrown. It provides more protection than a booster seat or seat belt for a small child.
Be Wary of Toys
To keep your child safe during a crash, it’s important to choose soft toys that won’t cause injury. Small, loose toys can pose a danger, so make sure to secure any loose objects and toys in the car to protect everyone inside.
Child Safety Seat Program
The Child Safety Seat Program was established at the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office in 2005. The Sheriff’s Office currently has four certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians available. Each technician must complete a 40-hour certification and must re-certify every two years.
Inspection
Families or individuals who already own a child safety seat but are uncertain about how to install it correctly may contact our office at (812) 421-6364 to make an appointment with one of our technicians.
Updated 01.09.2025