Types of car seats (4): 

  • Rear-facing only car seat: This seat can only face the back of the car. It’s usually used with an infant carrier that can be taken out of the base and clicked back in when you’re getting back in the car. Rear-facing only car seats offer optimal protection for infants. Typically, these seats come with an infant carrier that securely clicks into a base installed in the car. This convenient feature allows for easy transfer of the infant carrier from the car to a stroller or other transport systems without disturbing the baby’s sleep or comfort.
  • Forward-facing only car seat: Positioned to face the front of the vehicle, forward-facing only car seats are equipped with a five-point harness system. This harness secures the child snugly in place, distributing the forces of a crash across the strongest parts of the body. It provides a reliable restraint system for toddlers and young children, offering both safety and comfort during car rides.
  • Combination car seats: Versatile and adaptable, combination car seats serve as all-in-one solutions for child safety in vehicles. These seats are initially installed in a rear-facing position to accommodate infants and smaller babies. As the child grows, the seat can be converted into a forward-facing configuration, adjusting to the changing needs and size of the child. This flexibility ensures long-term use and protection throughout various stages of a child’s development.
  • Booster seat: Designed for older children who have outgrown traditional car seats but still require proper positioning and restraint, booster seats provide a necessary elevation to ensure the vehicle’s seat belt fits correctly. By raising the child to the appropriate height, booster seats enable the seat belt to cross the strongest parts of the body, such as the shoulder and hips, reducing the risk of injury in the event of a collision. Booster seats offer a transitional phase between car seats and full seat belt usage, ensuring continued safety for growing children until they reach the appropriate size for standard seat belt use.

Choosing your Child’s car seat:

The most important thing when picking a car seat is ensuring your child fits the weight, height, and age limits specified by the manufacturer. This information is on the hard plastic side of the seat and this is how you determine whether the seat is a good fit for child.

Below is a graphic from the national highway traffic safety administration that you can use to see which age group your child falls into when looking into car seats. Please reference the specific manufacturing information on height and weight for each seat when making your decisions.

car seat age requirements from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Car seats and booster seats. NHTSA. (n.d.). https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/car-seats-and-booster-seats 

IMPORTANT: It’s recommended to keep your child in rear-facing car seats for as long as possible, typically until they reach about 40 pounds, as these seats are specifically designed to protect your child’s neck, brain, and spinal cord in the event of a collision. Even if your child’s legs touch the back of the seat while rear-facing, it’s considered safe. Avoid purchasing used car seats because you can’t verify their history. They may have been involved in accidents, have missing parts or instructions, or unseen damage. Register your car seat to receive notifications about any recalls. Simply use the registration provided with the seat and send it to the manufacturer. This ensures that you’ll be informed if there are any issues with your car seat.

Car seat checks:

  • The inch test:
    • Hold the car seat near the belt path and give it a gentle shake, using about the strength of a handshake. If it moves more than an inch side to side or front to back, it’s too loose. 
    • Add extra weight: If the car seat is not tight enough, try getting into the car, putting your knee on the seat, and pulling the belt tight to secure it.
  • Seat belt lock: Ensure that your seat belt is locked. For retractable seat belts, pull the shoulder strap all the way out and let it retract. When you pull on it again, it shouldn’t extend further, indicating that it’s locked.
  • Harness snugness: After buckling and tightening the harness with the chest clip at armpit level, perform the pinch test. Pinch the strap at your child’s shoulder; if you can pinch excess webbing, tighten the strap further.
    • Adjust snugness: The harness shouldn’t be overly tight to leave marks, but it should be snug. Pull up on both sides near the legs to remove slack, then tighten and readjust as needed. Ensure the shoulder pads are in place and the chest clip is correctly positioned.
  • Be cautious of bulky clothing: Bulky winter coats can hinder harness snugness due to trapped air. In crash impacts, this can lead to loose straps and increased risks. Instead of bulky coats, dress in layers and use blankets in the car to keep the child warm after buckling up.

Common carseat misuses: 

  • Incorrect recline angle:
    • Check the recline angle indicator on the side of the car seat.
    • Ensure the indicator is within the correct range for the seat’s orientation (forward-facing or rear-facing).
    • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and ensure the indicator is in the green or correct position.
  • Incorrect belt path:
    • Refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations and installation instructions.
    • Ensure the seat belt or LATCH strap is routed through the correct belt path closest to the seat.
    • Pay close attention to illustrations provided by the manufacturer and verify the correct belt path for your specific car seat model.
  • Top tether misuse:
    • Always use the top tether for forward-facing installations.
    • The top tether significantly reduces the seat’s forward motion in a crash, reducing the risk of injury to the child’s head and neck.
    • Research suggests that the top tether may also help mitigate other car seat misuses, such as loose harnessing or installation.
  • Use of non-approved accessories:
    • Avoid using aftermarket covers, cushions, or accessories not approved by the car seat manufacturer.
    • Stick to accessories provided by the manufacturer or listed as approved accessories.
    • Items that go between the child and the seat, such as headrests or toys, can add bulk and interfere with proper harness fit or become projectiles in a crash.

What is a car seat tech?

A Car Seat Technician, also known as a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST), is a certified expert who helps parents use child car seats correctly. They help choose the right seat, give advice on how to install it, and make sure the child is safely strapped in for car trips. To become certified, they learn about child safety, car features, and good communication. Car Seat Technicians play a big role in keeping kids safe by making sure car seats are used the right way and preventing injuries.

Local  CPS Technicians: 

  • Bryce Bail (she/her)
    • Health Educator, Women’s Health Coordinator
    • Athens City-County Health Department 
    • 278 West Union Street Athens, OH 45701
    • 740-592-4431, ext: 5915
    • 740-594-2370 (fax)
  • Shelby Roberts (they/them)
  • Kailyn Browning (she/her)
car seat safetychild safety tipsinfant safety
By Parenting Blog