Car seat safety tips for a secure ride
Safety is the most important part of driving your children from point A to point B. And since accidents involving children 14 years old or younger occur every 25 seconds, reducing the risk of injury is crucial.
The good news is that many of these injuries are preventable. A properly-installed, reliable car seat significantly reduces death and injury. However, The National Highway Traffic Safety Association reports that 46% of car seats are installed incorrectly.
Whether you're buying a car seat, or already have one, keep these tips in mind.
Before you start your car
- Read the manual. Every vehicle and car seat is built a little differently. Take the time to find a car seat that fits your car and learn how to properly install it.
- Check your state laws. Each state has their own set of seat belt and child seat laws that are enforced.
- Keep kids in the back seat. Children 12 and under should ride in the back seat, away from air bags that can cause additional injuries. Be sure to use the proper restraint system based on your child’s height and weight.
- Avoid buckling harnesses over winter coats. Bulky coats can prevent the car seat straps from securing your child properly.
- Check belt and seat tightness. The seat should not move more than one inch in any direction. Also, the belts should be tightened until you cannot pinch excess strap at the shoulders.
- Consider a travel vest. They can be used when a vehicle only has lap belts in back seat, for children with certain special needs or when a child has outgrown their seat's weight limit.
Car seat stages
Height. Weight. Age.
If you have this information for your child, the NHTSA has an online tool that can help you determine which car seat is right for your family. There are three stages of car seats as your child grows.
| Stage | Suggested age range | Details | When they can move to the next stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1: Infant car seat (rear-facing only) | Birth, baby, early toddler | Install the car seat base at the correct angle noted in your car seat’s directions. | When your child outgrows the seat’s height or weight limit. |
| 2: Convertible seat (rear-facing) | Until at least age 3, up to 5 | Never place these seats in the front seat. It is recommended you use one with a five-point harness. These seats can later be turned forward-facing. | When they outgrow either the height or weight requirements–even if that means age five or older. |
| 3: Forward-facing seat | Age 5 | Make sure the belts are secured:
| When your child exceeds the forward-facing seat limit - typically happens when your child is 4'9". |
| 4: Booster seat | Ages 9-12 | Continue to confirm belt placement:
| Keep your child in a booster seat until the car’s seat belts securely do the following:
|
Additional resources
If you need more guidance to make your vehicle's car seat as safe as possible, consider:
- Installation tips to help troubleshoot getting that new car seat in safely.
- Inspection stations near you if you are still not sure it is installed properly.
- This post-incident user guide to see if a car seat is still usable following a fender bender.
For more information on how to keep your children safe in car seats, please talk to your local independent agent and view our infographic.
Staying seated
Child safety is of the utmost importance. That's why we automatically include car safety coverage with all of our Hanover Platinum policies. This coverage provides up to $300, with no deductible, to replace a damaged car seat when the damage takes place as a result of a covered loss.
Sources
National Highway Traffic Safety Association
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
American Academy of Pediatrics
U.S. Department of Transportation
This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage or guarantee loss prevention. The examples in this material are provided as hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“The Hanover”) specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations contained herein will make any premises, or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. By providing this information to you, The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.
Related resources
Car seat safety tips for a secure ride
Safety is the most important part of driving your children from point A to point B. And since accidents involving children 14 years old or younger occur every 25 seconds, reducing the risk of injury is crucial.
The good news is that many of these injuries are preventable. A properly-installed, reliable car seat significantly reduces death and injury. However, The National Highway Traffic Safety Association reports that 46% of car seats are installed incorrectly.
Whether you're buying a car seat, or already have one, keep these tips in mind.
Before you start your car
- Read the manual. Every vehicle and car seat is built a little differently. Take the time to find a car seat that fits your car and learn how to properly install it.
- Check your state laws. Each state has their own set of seat belt and child seat laws that are enforced.
- Keep kids in the back seat. Children 12 and under should ride in the back seat, away from air bags that can cause additional injuries. Be sure to use the proper restraint system based on your child’s height and weight.
- Avoid buckling harnesses over winter coats. Bulky coats can prevent the car seat straps from securing your child properly.
- Check belt and seat tightness. The seat should not move more than one inch in any direction. Also, the belts should be tightened until you cannot pinch excess strap at the shoulders.
- Consider a travel vest. They can be used when a vehicle only has lap belts in back seat, for children with certain special needs or when a child has outgrown their seat's weight limit.
Car seat stages
Height. Weight. Age.
If you have this information for your child, the NHTSA has an online tool that can help you determine which car seat is right for your family. There are three stages of car seats as your child grows.
| Stage | Suggested age range | Details | When they can move to the next stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1: Infant car seat (rear-facing only) | Birth, baby, early toddler | Install the car seat base at the correct angle noted in your car seat’s directions. | When your child outgrows the seat’s height or weight limit. |
| 2: Convertible seat (rear-facing) | Until at least age 3, up to 5 | Never place these seats in the front seat. It is recommended you use one with a five-point harness. These seats can later be turned forward-facing. | When they outgrow either the height or weight requirements–even if that means age five or older. |
| 3: Forward-facing seat | Age 5 | Make sure the belts are secured:
| When your child exceeds the forward-facing seat limit - typically happens when your child is 4'9". |
| 4: Booster seat | Ages 9-12 | Continue to confirm belt placement:
| Keep your child in a booster seat until the car’s seat belts securely do the following:
|
Additional resources
If you need more guidance to make your vehicle's car seat as safe as possible, consider:
- Installation tips to help troubleshoot getting that new car seat in safely.
- Inspection stations near you if you are still not sure it is installed properly.
- This post-incident user guide to see if a car seat is still usable following a fender bender.
For more information on how to keep your children safe in car seats, please talk to your local independent agent and view our infographic.
Staying seated
Child safety is of the utmost importance. That's why we automatically include car safety coverage with all of our Hanover Platinum policies. This coverage provides up to $300, with no deductible, to replace a damaged car seat when the damage takes place as a result of a covered loss.
Sources
National Highway Traffic Safety Association
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
American Academy of Pediatrics
U.S. Department of Transportation
This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage or guarantee loss prevention. The examples in this material are provided as hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“The Hanover”) specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations contained herein will make any premises, or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. By providing this information to you, The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.
Related resources
Car seat safety tips for a secure ride
Safety is the most important part of driving your children from point A to point B. And since accidents involving children 14 years old or younger occur every 25 seconds, reducing the risk of injury is crucial.
The good news is that many of these injuries are preventable. A properly-installed, reliable car seat significantly reduces death and injury. However, The National Highway Traffic Safety Association reports that 46% of car seats are installed incorrectly.
Whether you're buying a car seat, or already have one, keep these tips in mind.
Before you start your car
- Read the manual. Every vehicle and car seat is built a little differently. Take the time to find a car seat that fits your car and learn how to properly install it.
- Check your state laws. Each state has their own set of seat belt and child seat laws that are enforced.
- Keep kids in the back seat. Children 12 and under should ride in the back seat, away from air bags that can cause additional injuries. Be sure to use the proper restraint system based on your child’s height and weight.
- Avoid buckling harnesses over winter coats. Bulky coats can prevent the car seat straps from securing your child properly.
- Check belt and seat tightness. The seat should not move more than one inch in any direction. Also, the belts should be tightened until you cannot pinch excess strap at the shoulders.
- Consider a travel vest. They can be used when a vehicle only has lap belts in back seat, for children with certain special needs or when a child has outgrown their seat's weight limit.
Car seat stages
Height. Weight. Age.
If you have this information for your child, the NHTSA has an online tool that can help you determine which car seat is right for your family. There are three stages of car seats as your child grows.
| Stage | Suggested age range | Details | When they can move to the next stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1: Infant car seat (rear-facing only) | Birth, baby, early toddler | Install the car seat base at the correct angle noted in your car seat’s directions. | When your child outgrows the seat’s height or weight limit. |
| 2: Convertible seat (rear-facing) | Until at least age 3, up to 5 | Never place these seats in the front seat. It is recommended you use one with a five-point harness. These seats can later be turned forward-facing. | When they outgrow either the height or weight requirements–even if that means age five or older. |
| 3: Forward-facing seat | Age 5 | Make sure the belts are secured:
| When your child exceeds the forward-facing seat limit - typically happens when your child is 4'9". |
| 4: Booster seat | Ages 9-12 | Continue to confirm belt placement:
| Keep your child in a booster seat until the car’s seat belts securely do the following:
|
Additional resources
If you need more guidance to make your vehicle's car seat as safe as possible, consider:
- Installation tips to help troubleshoot getting that new car seat in safely.
- Inspection stations near you if you are still not sure it is installed properly.
- This post-incident user guide to see if a car seat is still usable following a fender bender.
For more information on how to keep your children safe in car seats, please talk to your local independent agent and view our infographic.
Staying seated
Child safety is of the utmost importance. That's why we automatically include car safety coverage with all of our Hanover Platinum policies. This coverage provides up to $300, with no deductible, to replace a damaged car seat when the damage takes place as a result of a covered loss.
Sources
National Highway Traffic Safety Association
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
American Academy of Pediatrics
U.S. Department of Transportation
This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage or guarantee loss prevention. The examples in this material are provided as hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“The Hanover”) specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations contained herein will make any premises, or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. By providing this information to you, The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.
Related resources
Car seat safety tips for a secure ride
Safety is the most important part of driving your children from point A to point B. And since accidents involving children 14 years old or younger occur every 25 seconds, reducing the risk of injury is crucial.
The good news is that many of these injuries are preventable. A properly-installed, reliable car seat significantly reduces death and injury. However, The National Highway Traffic Safety Association reports that 46% of car seats are installed incorrectly.
Whether you're buying a car seat, or already have one, keep these tips in mind.
Before you start your car
- Read the manual. Every vehicle and car seat is built a little differently. Take the time to find a car seat that fits your car and learn how to properly install it.
- Check your state laws. Each state has their own set of seat belt and child seat laws that are enforced.
- Keep kids in the back seat. Children 12 and under should ride in the back seat, away from air bags that can cause additional injuries. Be sure to use the proper restraint system based on your child’s height and weight.
- Avoid buckling harnesses over winter coats. Bulky coats can prevent the car seat straps from securing your child properly.
- Check belt and seat tightness. The seat should not move more than one inch in any direction. Also, the belts should be tightened until you cannot pinch excess strap at the shoulders.
- Consider a travel vest. They can be used when a vehicle only has lap belts in back seat, for children with certain special needs or when a child has outgrown their seat's weight limit.
Car seat stages
Height. Weight. Age.
If you have this information for your child, the NHTSA has an online tool that can help you determine which car seat is right for your family. There are three stages of car seats as your child grows.
| Stage | Suggested age range | Details | When they can move to the next stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1: Infant car seat (rear-facing only) | Birth, baby, early toddler | Install the car seat base at the correct angle noted in your car seat’s directions. | When your child outgrows the seat’s height or weight limit. |
| 2: Convertible seat (rear-facing) | Until at least age 3, up to 5 | Never place these seats in the front seat. It is recommended you use one with a five-point harness. These seats can later be turned forward-facing. | When they outgrow either the height or weight requirements–even if that means age five or older. |
| 3: Forward-facing seat | Age 5 | Make sure the belts are secured:
| When your child exceeds the forward-facing seat limit - typically happens when your child is 4'9". |
| 4: Booster seat | Ages 9-12 | Continue to confirm belt placement:
| Keep your child in a booster seat until the car’s seat belts securely do the following:
|
Additional resources
If you need more guidance to make your vehicle's car seat as safe as possible, consider:
- Installation tips to help troubleshoot getting that new car seat in safely.
- Inspection stations near you if you are still not sure it is installed properly.
- This post-incident user guide to see if a car seat is still usable following a fender bender.
For more information on how to keep your children safe in car seats, please talk to your local independent agent and view our infographic.
Staying seated
Child safety is of the utmost importance. That's why we automatically include car safety coverage with all of our Hanover Platinum policies. This coverage provides up to $300, with no deductible, to replace a damaged car seat when the damage takes place as a result of a covered loss.
Sources
National Highway Traffic Safety Association
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
American Academy of Pediatrics
U.S. Department of Transportation
This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage or guarantee loss prevention. The examples in this material are provided as hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“The Hanover”) specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations contained herein will make any premises, or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. By providing this information to you, The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.