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Car Seat Safety 101: A Parent's Simple Guide
A no-jargon walkthrough of car-seat basics — rear-facing rules, harness fit, and the mistakes almost everyone makes.
Car Seat Safety 101
Car seats save lives — but only when installed correctly. Here's the plain-English version.
Rear-facing as long as possible
Keep your child rear-facing until at least age 2, and longer if the seat allows. It's five times safer.
The pinch test
After buckling, pinch the harness at the shoulder. If you can pinch a fold, it's too loose.
Common mistakes
- Bulky coats under the harness
- Chest clip too low (should be at armpit level)
- Skipping the top tether when forward-facing