Fitting your car seatInstalling your baby's car seatYou might think that anyone who can read an instruction manual and follow instructions can install a child's car seat. In reality, though, it's not so quite easy.
Placing the car seatStatistics prove that the best protected seat in the car is the one in the centre of the back seat - as long as your car seat is approved for use with the type of belt fitted in your car. The next best protected seat is the left hand rear seat - nearest the kerb. Then the next is the right hand rear seat, then the front passenger seat, and the driver's seat is the least protected. Most accidental damage to vehicles is at the fron on the driver's side. Never use a rearward-facing seat on a passenger seat fitted with an airbag. It is always safer to install an infant carrier or car seat in a rearward facing position on the back seat. Installing your car seatRead and follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully when fitting the seat and keep them safe for future reference. This is especially important with combination seats as you will need the instructions again when changing the seat to its forward position. Loose adult seat belts can be dangerous because they allow the car seat to move around. Lean your full weight into the car seat and pull the adult seat belt as tight as possible around the seat. When correctly fitted, the car seat won't move forward or side to side. Ensure that the buckle of the seat belt lies clear of the seat's frame. If the buckle is allowed to rest on the frame it may snap open in an accident. If it is difficult to get a firm fit, or to avoid the buckle sitting near to the frame, try fitting the child seat in another seating position or use a lap-belt fitting kit. Making your car seat safeFor maximum safety, the harness should be adjusted before every car journey. Any slack in the harness will reduces the protection level of the seat. As a rule of thumb, make sure that only the thickness of two fingers, at most, can be inserted between the harness and the child's chest. The harness buckle should be as low as possible to keep the lap section of the harness across the pelvis - not resting on the vulnerable stomach area. Remember that children can also be injured if strapped in too tightly. The harness, chest pads and harness shoulder height must all be correctly adjusted according to the manufacturer's instructions. Where to next?
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