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Car Seat Safety Tips

Car Seat Safety Tips
As children grow, the type of car seat they use will change. It’s important to check your child’s fit and the car seat installation regularly.

Make sure it’s a fit

Before installing your car seat, it’s important to make sure it fits your child. Selection of car seats or boosters should be based on your child’s age, weight, height and developmental level.
Car Seats

Installing your seat

Car seat installation is unique to each type of seat. Make sure you’re familiar with the vehicle and car seat parts used in the process along with these important safety tips. Let’s start by choosing your seat.

  • Rear- Facing

    Car Seat Installation Tips

  • The harness should start at or below your child’s shoulders.

  • The chest clip should be at armpit level.

  • The harness should be snug and lie flat against their shoulders. You should not be able to pinch the webbing/fabric when pinching vertically.

  • Keep your child in a rear-facing seat until they reach the maximum height or weight requirements.

  • Once your child outgrows their rear-facing car seat, it is time to transition to a forward-facing car seat.

  • Forward- Facing

    Car Seat Installation Tips

  • The harness should start at or above your child’s shoulders.

  • The chest clip should be at armpit level.

  • The harness should be snug and lie flat against their shoulders. You should not be able to pinch the webbing/fabric when pinching vertically.

  • Always use a tether for safety for forward-facing car seats.

  • Keep your child in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether until they reach the maximum height or weight requirements.

  • Once they outgrow the forward-facing car seat with a harness, it’s time to transition to a booster seat but still in the back seat of the vehicle.

  • Booster Seat

    Installation Tips

  • The lap belt should lie flat and snug across your child’s upper thighs, not their stomach.

  • The shoulder belt should lie flat on their shoulder and snug across their chest.

  • Keep your child in a booster until they are big enough to fit the seat belt properly.

  • Seat Belt

    Tips

  • The lap belt should lie flat and snug across their upper thighs.

  • The shoulder belt should lie flat on their shoulder and snug across their chest.

  • Your child should still ride in the back seat up to the age of 13.

Always register your car seat with the manufacturer to receive recalls and safety notices so your child can remain safe.

When to replace your car seat

Is your seat expired?

You should replace your car seat when the expiration date is reached or if any of the parts of the car seat are no longer in good working order.

Was it damaged in an accident?

Following a motor vehicle crash, car seats and boosters may need to be replaced depending on the severity of the crash as well as the manufacturer’s guidelines.

In the market for a new car seat?

Explore our car seat confidence guide and find the seat that fits your family.
Car Seats
Target is pleased to work with with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to ensure parents and caregivers are getting the most up-to-date safety information.