The middle seat is the safest in the event of a crash because it’s furthest away from windows and airbags. However, there are multiple factors that parents should take into consideration, such as the number of children riding in the car, which seats you are using and the size of your vehicle.

The best car seat is the one that is right for the age and weight of your child, fits correctly in your vehicle, and you can install correctly each time.

We recommend sticking only to accessories that came with your car seat or ones that have been approved by the car seat manufacturer. Accessories that aren’t approved haven’t been crash tested with your specific car seat, which means they could affect how well the seat protects your child.

Some car seat manufacturers do offer accessories that have been carefully tested with their seats. So before buying things like mirrors, neck pillows, extra padding, or handle toys, take a moment to check with the manufacturer to make sure they’re safe to use with your car seat.

Always start by following the car seat and vehicle manufacturer’s instructions when installing your seat. After you’ve installed the seat, we encourage parents to do the following tests:

First, there is the “inch test.” Grab the car seat at the bottom where it attaches to the car seat and tug it from side to side and front to back. If the seat moves more than an inch in either direction, tighten it.

Once your child is buckled into the seat, there is the “pinch test”. The “pinch test” is a quick, easy test to make sure the car seat straps are tight enough. Pinch the car seat strap near your child’s shoulder; if you can pinch a wrinkle in the fabric, tighten the strap until it is snug.

Additionally, find a certified car seat technician near you. This way, you can have your car seat checked to see if it is installed correctly.

Getting Started with Car Seat Installation
The best place to start when installing your child’s car seat is the owner’s manual—for both your car seat and your vehicle. Each seat and vehicle is a little different, and the manuals will guide you through what works best for your situation.
Car seats can be installed using either the vehicle’s seat belt or the lower anchors (LATCH). Both methods have been crash‑tested and are safe. The most important thing is choosing the method that allows you to install the car seat correctly and tightly every time. Keep in mind that what works best may change depending on the vehicle you’re using.

Where Should the Car Seat Go?
The middle position in the back seat is generally the safest place for a passenger because it’s farthest from airbags and windows. However, once you’re traveling with more than one child in car seats, fitting multiple seats side by side can be tricky. Whether this works depends on the specific car seats and vehicle you’re using.
If you’re unsure about the best placement, a certified car seat technician can help you figure out the safest setup for your vehicle and your family.
It’s also important to know that many vehicles do not allow the lower anchors to be used in the middle seating position. That’s because lower anchors are usually only crash‑tested in the outboard (side) seating positions. Before installing a car seat in the middle, check your vehicle owner’s manual to see whether lower anchors are allowed there.
In many cases, the safest and best option for a middle seat installation is using the seat belt and making sure it’s locked properly.

Watch Height and Weight Limits as Your Child Grows
As children grow, it’s important to regularly check both height and weight limits for their car seat. Car seats have maximum limits, and vehicles also set weight limits when using lower anchors. This weight limit includes both the child and the car seat.
If your car seat is installed using the lower anchors, you’ll want to:

• Check your vehicle owner’s manual for the maximum allowed weight when using lower anchors.
• Check your car seat manual to find out how much the car seat itself weighs.

Once your child reaches the maximum allowable weight for using lower anchors, it’s time to switch to installing the car seat with the seat belt instead.
If you’re unsure whether it’s time to switch methods—or just want peace of mind—you can schedule a car seat check with a certified car seat technician for personalized help.

Keep your child riding rear‑facing for as long as the car seat manufacturer allows. Even if your child has outgrown the height limit of their infant car seat, they may still be within the weight limit. In that case, switching to a rear‑facing convertible car seat can give them more room to grow while staying rear‑facing. Always follow the car seat manufacturer’s instructions when making the transition.

You can find your car seat’s height and weight limits on the labels attached to the side of the car seat or in the owner’s manual.

Since children grow at varying rates, it is difficult to claim when a child can be turned around forward-facing based strictly on the child’s age. Rear-facing is the safest position for children to ride in the vehicle, as the child and car seat are in better positions to protect the child’s head and neck in the event of a crash. For this reason, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) changed their stance on the issue in 2018 and now recommends that children remain rear-facing in the car until they reach the maximum weight or height limit of the car seat being used. Once a child outgrows a rear-facing only seat (infant seat), then he/she can be moved to the rear-facing position of a convertible car seat until the maximum weight or height limit of that seating position is reached. At that point, then the child can be turned around forward-facing in the convertible car seat.

There isn’t a set age when a child should move from a car seat to a booster seat. Instead of focusing on age, the key sign of readiness is whether your child has outgrown the height or weight limits of their forward‑facing car seat with a 5‑point harness. Many children reach those limits sometime between ages 5 and 9.

Children should ride in a booster seat until they are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall. Little ones can be eager to sit like big kids. However, seat belts often don’t fit young children properly and can ride up around their waists or necks, potentially causing injury during a crash.

Booster seats elevate children so that seat belts can fit properly.

Different car seat models will come with their own head and body pillows to provide extra cushion and support for the child to use in the car seat. When to remove these inserts is dependent on the car seat manufacturer and model. Many times there is a weight limit for how long the inserts can be used, so the best step is to check the car seat owner’s manual. If there is no weight limit mentioned, then often times the inserts can be removed when they are no longer needed and taking up room needed by the child. If there is any concern, contact your car seat manufacturer’s customer service.

With all the adventures that happen in the car, car seats can definitely see their fair share of messes. Fortunately, many car seat manufacturers allow you the ability to remove the car seat cushion to clean the fabric. Every car seat manufacturer is a little different though, so best thing is to check your car seat owner’s manual for cleaning instructions.

There are a number of scenarios that require parents to buy a new car seat for their child, including:

1. As soon as their child reaches the height or weight limit specified on the car seat;
2. The car seat is past the expiration date;
3. The car seat has been recalled;
4. The car seat has been involved in a crash;
5. The car seat shows signs of wear and tear on the harness, padding, shell or frame; and
6. The car seat is missing parts of the seat.

If you have been involved in a crash and wonder whether you should replace your car seat, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Did the airbags deploy during the crash?
2. Was anyone taken to the hospital after the crash?
3. Is the car seat visibly damaged?
4. Were you unable to drive your vehicle away from the scene?

If you answered YES to any of the questions, you must replace your car seat.

If none of the questions apply to your particular situation, you should contact your car seat manufacturer for advice.

No. Before buckling your child into their car seat, be sure to remove bulky winter coats or snowsuits. These layers can keep the harness from fitting snugly and correctly. In a crash, thick clothing can compress, creating extra space between your child and the harness and reducing its ability to protect them.

Car seat manufacturers regularly update and improve their designs to make sure kids are riding as safely as possible. Because of this ongoing testing and wear over time, each manufacturer sets a specific lifespan for their car seats. Once a seat reaches the end of that timeframe, it’s safest to replace it with a new one.