There’s nothing like bringing home a fresh baked baby to bring car seat safety to the top of your mind!

Car seat installation can be completely intimidating to some while others think it’s no big deal and end up missing some major safety points. Either way? Car seat safety is a HUGE deal to me, so I wanted to shares some tips and info about car seat safety that I think EVERYONE needs to know.

First of all, bottom line is this…if there is EVER any question about whether or not the car seat is installed correctly and or the physical integrity of the seat? DO NOT USE IT! We’re talking about the safety of your child…why risk it!?

Now, lucky for you, I happen to personally know a certified car seat safety inspector! {he’s a cop too, so don’t screw with me, got it!?} I asked what the most common mistakes he sees when inspecting car seats. Here’s what he had to say…”Most common mistake I see is probably improper securement to the vehicle (usually too loose or using the wrong straps in the wrong place.) The seat should have <1″ sideways movement @ the belt path, using normal hand pressure. A close 2nd place is not cinching the kidlets in tight enough. You should be unable to pinch the shoulder strap between your thumb and finger.”

He also said that you should read your instruction manual. And while my first thought to that was DUH! (I read mine cover to cover), it seriously makes me wonder how many people just toss it to the side when installing their child’s seat. Common sense? Not always so common any more.

Most CAR SEATS EXPIRE 5 years after their manufacturer date (different from the purchase date!) This was something I recently learned…and to be honest, was shocked when I heard it. Once I thought about it though, it makes sense. First of all, safety standards change. Second, after time, materials start to break down. Even if the seat looks fine, bottom line is you just don’t know. Our infant carrier doesn’t techinically expire until September, but we figured, It’s been stored in the rafters of the garage for the last 3+ years so why risk it? and bought a brand new one for Sister.

Curious to know more? The location of the expiration date on your car seat will vary by manufacturer and seat type, but look for a sticker like this…

{I took this one from Rylee’s Britax Marathon seat. It was super easy to find, right under the seat cover on the outside. On our new infant carrier, the actual expiration date (not the manufacturer’s date) is physically molded into the seat.}

Educate yourself on EXTENDED REAR FACING! It’s now recommended that instead of turning kiddos forward facing the minute they turn 1 and/or 20 lbs, to keep them rear-facing up to 3 years and 30 pounds. ERF was just becoming a recommended “thing” when Rylee turned 1. Her pediatrician just sort of breezed over it and at the time of her 1 year well-check, I had already moved her to forward facing. Looking back? Why was I in such a hurry!? For Baby Sister, we will most definitely practice ERF. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics website, “A rear-facing child safety seat does a better job of supporting the head, neck and spine of infants and toddlers in a crash, because it distributes the force of the collision over the entire body”

If your car has the hardware, use the LATCH system! Seat belt types can vary from vehicle to vehicle. Instead of trying to figure out whether or not your car has a passive lap belt, a lap belt with emergency locking retractors, lap belts with automatic locking retractors or a combo lap/shoulder belt with locking latch plate? And wait, where I am supposed to install the Locking Clip on the seat belt? Just use the LATCH system. The LATCH system also makes it much easier to get the car seat cinched down tight enough to move less than the 1″ side-to-side as recommended.

ALWAYS replace a car seat after any kind of car accident! Even if you can’t physically see anything wrong with it.

NEVER use a car seat if it has damaged or missing parts.

NEVER buy a used car seat without knowing the history of the seat! What if it’s been in an accident!?

Improperly installed car seats can cause injury even if you’re not in an accident! If the seat is installed incorrectly, sudden braking and sharp turns could injure your child.

NEVER put an infant carrier on a shopping cart! Seriously…it’s NOT made for that and a bump could send that seat (with your baby in it!) flying! Don’t believe me? Less than a year ago, a mother lost her 3 month old son due to an accident like this.

If you’re ever unsure about whether or not your car seat is installed correctly, GET IT INSPECTED! Most fire stations and police officers are certified car seat safety inspectors. To find a local inspection station in your area, you can search the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website HERE.

Speaking of the NHTSA, they’ve developed an entire website that is a fantastic resource for all things car seat safety (and more!). They have info on child safety laws broken down by state. They’ve got installation videos to view. Pregnant? Yep, they’ve got tips for car safety for expecting moms too!

Anything I missed? Have questions? Feel free to leave me a comment!

Disclosure: I was selected for participation in the TWIN community through a program with Clever Girls Collective. I did not receive any compensation for writing this post, or payment in exchange for participating. The opinions expressed herein are mine, and do not reflect the views of the Toyota.