Did you know that 3 out of 4 car seats are not used correctly? Harness fit is just one area that determines if a car seat is being used properly. Installations vary for each individual car seat, but harness fit guidelines are the same. See if you have the right fit:
Rear-facing harness fit should:
- Be snug to the child’s body. No loose straps.
- Have the chest clip at armpit level.
- Have harness straps beginning at the harness slot at or below the child’s shoulder.
Forward-facing harness fit should:
- Be snug to the child’s body. No loose straps.
- Have the chest clip at armpit level.
- Have harness straps beginning at the harness slot at or above the child’s shoulder.
For both positions, there should be no bulky jackets or clothing that doesn’t allow the harness to be snug to the child’s body, and there shouldn’t be any padding or inserts that did not come with the car seat at purchase. Bulky clothing and aftermarket padding compress in a motor vehicle crash creating gapping that allows the child to be ejected from the car seat.
Fitting the car seat harness correctly to the child is critical to keep them safe when traveling in a vehicle. For more car seat safety tips, visit Car Seat Tips page on our VUMC Injury Prevention website.
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