Our Gide to a S.A.F.E Car Seat Routine

As a new parent it may be difficult to know exactly how your child is supposed to be fashioned into a carseat. We are here to help walk you through the proper and safe way to secure your child in to make sure you know they are safe. 

First you should always follow S.A.F.E which is an easy way to remind yourself to properly install your car seat and properly buckle your baby in. 

To start, make sure you have a Secure base. Securing your base into the car properly is one of the most important steps. If your base is installed improperly then all the safety features that are built into your base no longer work properly can leave your child at risk of injuries in a crash. Whether they have belt latches, ridged latches, belt install or whether you are putting your car seat in the middle, the drivers or passengers' side make sure to follow the steps in your manual. All infant car seats are relatively installed the same way but each may have individual needs which you should follow through your manual. 

 The next step is to make sure that the Angle is correct. For infant car seats you will need to install it onto the base and there should be an indication somewhere on the seat or included in the manual that will tell you when the car seat is in the proper position which will be that 45 degree angle. Once you have this properly installed then it will be ready to use. 

When putting your child into their car seat it is important to remember the Full body harness. This means the straps should be over their legs and shoulders and fastened into your car seat buckles. When buckling them in there are a few major steps to follow. These include, making sure your shoulder straps are in the proper position, over your baby’s shoulder with their arms through the straps and the strap pads covering the belt by their chest and neck to keep from discomfort. After this you will need to make sure the chest clip is clipped in and sitting above their sternum or general chest area in line with their armpit. 

The final step is to Ensure tight straps. The way to tighten car seats is slightly different for every seat but will be outlined in your car seat manual! Once tightened properly you should be able to fit 2 fingers under the belt but when pinching the belt you should not be able to grab any excess material.

This may seem like a lot to remember and for first time parents especially it can be overwhelming but once you have the hang of it, you will be a pro!!

If you have any questions or concerns about this process your Little Canadian baby experts are always here to help. You can email us, call us or come into your local Little Canadian with any questions!