How to Install Infant Car Seat

It might appear to be a pretty simple thing to understand how to install an infant car seat, however, if you are reading this I am sure you must not have found it that simple. In fact installing an infant car seat is often such a big problem that the federal Government has passed a new mandate called the LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children). All new vehicles and car seats must have this system. At present most of the infant car seats are incorrectly installed which is a serious security threat, expectedly, with this LATCH system in place it would no longer be a major problem for parents to understand how to install infant car seats.

As I mentioned in my earlier post How to Install an Infant Car Seat, that it is extremely important to read your car manufacturer’s manual and also the manual that comes with the car seat before you get on to the installation process.

The LATCH system provides two metal anchors in the back seat between the seat and the seat back to which the infant car seat snaps securely. The latch portion of the system includes a strap that securely fastens the base of the infant car seat to keep the infant seat from moving.

How To Install Infant Car Seat – LATCH system

• Attach the latch to the anchors set at the base of the seat and then tighten the seat belt to make it firm. It is easier to tighten the seat belt if you kneel in front of the seat while doing so.
  
• On a toddler seat you will need to attach the tether strap to the anchors at the base. Then let the tether strap fall back behind the seat and hook it to the base of the seat back. However, if you are using a rear facing infant car seat you will not need to use the tether.

With the risk of sounding repetitive, I would again mention, that these are just general instructions on how to install an infant car seat. Please read your car manual and the manual that comes with infant car seat in details before you actually install the seat. Also, once you are done with the installation of your infant car seat please get I checked by some certified technician.

Labels: car seat, federal Government, How to, infant, Install, kids, latch system, mandate, security

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This first post on How To Install an Infant Car Seat is meant to povide you with the basic steps of installing an infant car seat and is not really a detailed guide. I am working on a more detaied article to explain how to install infant car seats. The most impotant point however, on this aspect is that you Must read your cars manual and the manual that comes with your infant seat before getting on to the installation process.Also, you MUST get your car seat inspected by certified technician to ensure that the installation of your infant car seat is appropriate.

How To Install an Infant Car Seat - Get the Basics

1. The safest spot in your car to install an infant car seat is the middle seat in the back. Next to it, would come the seat behind the driver. In case these two options are unavailable it is best to install infant car seats anywhere in the back seat that fits best.
   
2. While trying to install an infant car seat one of the most common problem that is faced is fixing the correct angle. Check the manual to find out the correct installation angle for the infant car seat. When facing backward an infant seat should not be installed at an angle more than 45 degrees from the vertical. If the installation is flat there is a possibility of your baby sliding out of the straps and if you install it too upright his head may flop making it difficult for the baby to breath. Most good quality infant car seats would have an adjustable base that would allow you to change the angle easily, in case your infant car seat do not have this option, use a rolled up towel towards the foot end of the car seat.Also, if you can look for it, there are infant car seats available in the market that comes with inbuilt angle adjusters.
   
3. The infant car seat should be installed firmly on to the car and in no case should be movable.

I hope this helps you all to understand how to install infant car seat. I will very soon be posting more on installing infant seats. In the mean time feel free to put in your comments.

Labels: baby, car, How to, infant, Install, kids, parenting, parents, Seat, security

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