Common mistakes parents make when installing a car seat

Summary

Life Kit (NPR)
Episode: Common Mistakes Parents Make When Installing a Car Seat
Air Date: March 2, 2026
Host: Marielle Segarra
Guest Experts: Emily Thomas (Consumer Reports, PhD in Pediatric Injury Biomechanics)
Reported by: Andy Tagle

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Episode Overview

This episode of Life Kit tackles one of the most anxiety-inducing aspects of early parenting: picking and properly installing a car seat. Host Marielle Segarra and reporter Andy Tagle talk with Emily Thomas, an automotive safety expert and mom, to demystify the process, debunk common myths, and guide parents through the most important safety practices. Whether you’re a brand-new parent, a caregiver, or just want to get it right, this episode offers clarity and comfort.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Car Seat Safety Matters

• Car crashes remain a leading cause of death for children in the U.S. and worldwide ([01:12]).
• Car seats, when used correctly, drastically reduce this risk.
• “You don’t get to choose your crash. You have to make sure your child is protected for every single car ride.” – Emily Thomas ([00:54])

2. Choosing the Right Car Seat: Stages & Types ([03:47]–[06:34])

• Infant Car Seats: Used until ~6–9 months, usually outgrown by height first.
• Convertible/All-in-One: Next stage; rear-facing as long as possible, then forward-facing, then booster.
  • Rear-facing is safest as long as the child fits manufacturer height/weight limits ([04:36]).
  • Each step up (rear-facing → forward-facing → booster → seat belt) lowers the child’s protection.
  • Don’t rush to the next stage: “It’s tempting to want to rush…but we strongly advise you not to because you want to make sure that your child is properly protected for every single car ride.” – Emily Thomas ([06:34])

3. Cost and Features: What Matters, What Doesn’t ([06:48]–[09:23])

• All new car seats legally sold in the U.S. meet federal safety standards and are crash tested.
• Higher price points often mean premium fabrics or convenience features—not better crash protection.
  • “Just because you have a more expensive seat does not necessarily mean that you get better crash protection.” – Emily Thomas ([07:01])
• Second-hand car seats are risky if you can’t confirm their history (no crash, no recalls, not expired) ([07:38]).

4. Special Features That Actually Add Safety ([09:23]–[11:07])

• Load Leg: A support leg from the car seat base to the vehicle floor; reduces forward rotation and lessens head injury risk by up to 65%.
  • “The one that I will say probably has the most benefit for crash protection…is what’s called a load leg.” – Emily Thomas ([09:23])
• Belt Tensioning/Lock-Off: Ensures an ultra-snug installation.
  • “It doesn’t move more than one inch side to side or front to back when you pull at that belt path.” – Emily Thomas ([10:35])
• No Rethread Harness: Allows for easy harness height adjustments without uninstalling the seat.

5. Accessories: Proceed with Caution ([11:44]–[13:04])

• Avoid third-party accessories (extra pads, covers, toys): only use what’s included with or approved by the manufacturer ([11:56]).
• Exception: Some car seat manuals specify that a pool noodle or rolled towel may be used for leveling; always follow your car seat manual ([13:04]).

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Installation: Mistakes, Fixes, and Expert Resources

1. Installation Is Hard—And Most Get It Wrong ([15:06]–[15:45])

• Car seat misuse rates are as high as 72%.
  • “No, we’re not [going to get it right the first time]. Misuse rates are pretty high right now… 72%.” – Emily Thomas ([15:06])
• Don’t beat yourself up; get it checked by a certified technician (find one at nhtsa.gov or Safe Kids Worldwide) ([15:45]).

2. Common Installation Errors ([16:40]–[21:20])

a. Register Your Car Seat and Keep the Manual

• Fill out the registration card to get recall alerts.
• Store and refer to your manual—important info on installation specifics ([17:13]).

b. Proper Seat Tightness and Belt Path ([17:19])

• The seat should not move more than one inch in any direction at the belt path ([10:35]).
• Convertible/all-in-one seats have different belt paths for rear vs. forward-facing; use the correct one.

c. Tether Attachment for Forward Facing ([17:46])

• Always use the tether for forward-facing seats—often neglected.

d. Correct Recline Angle ([18:02])

• Especially for infants: too upright can cause head slumping and breathing obstruction; too reclined increases injury risk ([18:13]).

e. Harness Height and Tightness ([18:36])

• Rear-facing: straps at or below shoulders; forward-facing: at or above ([18:43]).
• Pinch test: can’t pinch any slack at the shoulders ([18:43]).
• Chest clip should be at armpit level ([19:15]).
• Crotch buckle not under the child; position per the manual ([19:41]).

f. No Bulky Clothes or Coats Under Harness ([20:39])

• Thick clothing compresses in a crash, creating dangerous slack.
• Recommendation: harness first, then drape a blanket or put a coat on backward for warmth ([21:40]).

g. Double Check Regularly

• Even pro installations loosen over time; check fit as your child grows.

3. Car Seat Expiration & Post-Crash Rules ([21:40]–[23:11])

• All car seats expire, usually after 6–10 years—key for up-to-date safety and materials ([21:40]).
• Post-crash replacement:
  • Some manufacturers require replacement after any crash.
  • Others follow NHTSA guidelines (replace after moderate/severe, not necessarily minor, crashes).
  • Always check your car seat’s manual ([22:45]).

4. Car-to-Car Compatibility ([23:30])

• Not all car seats fit all cars equally well.
• If buying a new car, take your car seat(s) to the dealer; test installation, fit, and your own comfort ([23:38]).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You don’t get to choose your crash.” – Emily Thomas ([00:54])
• “Every time your child moves up a stage, they’re a little less protected.” – Andy Tagle ([05:41])
• “All new car seats are considered safe… The safest car seat is the one that fits your car and fits your child every single time.” – Emily Thomas ([01:53], [02:01])
• “It’s tempting to want to rush through the car seat stages, but we strongly advise you not to.” – Emily Thomas ([06:34])
• “Most people are using their car seats incorrectly, so don't stress if you're confused and don’t assume you got it right on the first go.” – Andy Tagle ([15:45])
• “You don’t need to have an expensive car seat to have a safe car seat.” – Emily Thomas ([07:01])
• “Just having that consistency in the safety messaging for your child is also really key… even for a short trip to grandma’s house.” – Emily Thomas ([24:29])

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:54] — Importance of safety and parent anxieties
• [03:47] — Types and stages of car seats
• [06:48] — Car seat pricing, features, and secondhand concerns
• [09:23] — Safety features that matter (load leg, belt tensioning)
• [11:44] — Accessories: what’s safe, what’s not
• [13:04] — Leveling tips, calling manufacturer, certified help
• [15:06] — Shocking 72% misuse rate and how to get checked
• [16:40] — Top mistakes: paperwork, belt path, tether, recline, harness
• [20:39] — Warmth in winter: coats vs. blankets
• [21:40] — Car seat expiration, post-crash replacement
• [23:30] — Test installations before buying a car
• [24:48] — Final advice and encouragement

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Major Takeaways

1. Keep kids in the lowest car seat stage they fit—don’t rush the milestones.
2. All legally sold car seats are safe; fancy features may add comfort or convenience, but not more crash protection.
3. Avoid secondhand seats unless you know their complete history.
4. Get professional help with installation—most people get something wrong.
5. Regularly check fit and installation; read and keep the manual.
6. Choose safety over convenience, always, even for short trips and with non-parent drivers.

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Final Words of Comfort

“Ultimately, parents have a lot going on. This is something that is super important. So, take the time, educate yourself. I know it's inconvenient. I know it's hard. You're doing great. And what you didn't know before, that's okay.” — Emily Thomas ([24:57])

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Resources Mentioned

• Consumer Reports car seat ratings: free and independent
• Car seat check events & certified technicians: NHTSA.gov | Safe Kids Worldwide

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This summary captures all crucial advice and insights from the episode and is structured to guide, reassure, and empower both first-time and seasoned parents.

Transcript

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[Mariel Segarra]

you're listening to Life Kit from NPR. Hey, it's Marielle. I'm not a parent yet, but I am a titi. And even from where I sit, when that little baby comes on the scene and they're so tiny and helpless and their little skull hasn't even fused yet, it's terrifying. And then you tell me I'm supposed to put this baby in a car. Have you seen how people drive? And I know, of course, by a car seat.

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Right.

[Mariel Segarra]

But how do you pick one?

[Emily Thomas]

There's a lot of decision making as a parent and especially as a new parent.

[Andy Tagle]

And.

[Emily Thomas]

And it's very overwhelming. And it's important because you don't get to choose your crash. You don't know when a crash is going to happen. You don't know, you know, what direction it's going to happen. So you have to make sure that your child is protected for every single car ride. And Right. Like, we're all doing the best we can.

[Mariel Segarra]

That's Emily Thomas, the associate director for auto safety at Consumer Reports. She's also a mom, and she has a PhD in pediatric injury biomechanics. She says kids are a lot safer in cars than they used to be in decades past. But traffic crashes are still a leading cause of death for children in the US and around the world. The research shows that car seats and booster seats significantly lower that risk. But it can be hard to know where to start, and there are endless options to choose from.

[Emily Thomas]

There are a lot of things that you have to take into consideration, but ultimately, as a parent, you can rest assured that, one, every car seat that's sold in the United States has to meet a federal minimum safety standard, meaning

[Mariel Segarra]

that any new car seat you buy has been rigorously crash tested. It's got clear height and weight limits, plus labeling to help you install it

[Emily Thomas]

safely, so they're all considered safe. And two, the safest car seat is going to be the one that fits your car and fits your child every single time.

[Mariel Segarra]

On this episode of Life Kit, how to pick a car seat and use it safely. Reporter Andy Tagle will talk to Emily about what features matter most, what's just window dressing, and the most common mistakes parents make when they're installing those seats.

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[Andy Tagle]

Would you mind just breaking down for us the different stages, the different types of car seats available that people are going to be looking at?

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[Emily Thomas]

So most people start off with an infant car seat. Most children are going to outgrow their infant car seat probably around six to nine months old, either by height or weight. Oftentimes it's by height first. So when your child outgrows their infant seat, you're going to want to move them into a convertible or an all in one and use it in the rear facing orientation.

[Andy Tagle]

Convertible refers to a car seat that converts from rear to forward facing all in one one seat that can do it all. Infant to rear facing to forward facing to booster. No matter which you go for, plan to keep your child rear facing until they're at least two years old. And if it's possible, hold out for longer.

[Emily Thomas]

As in, you're going to want to keep your child rear facing as long as you can with up to the manufacturer height or weight limit for the rear facing mode. And really that's because their bodies are still maturing, especially their skeletons. And so you want their bones to be stronger, you want their neck and spine to be able to support their head. The most common type of crash is a frontal impact. And so when they're rear facing, those crash forces are going to get split out across the back of that car seat shell and it's going to distribute less forces to your child and it's going to really protect the head and spine. Now if they're forward facing too early. Those crash forces are going to be applied across the harness onto your child's body and their heads, they're still getting stronger, their bodies are still growing, and so you're putting more strain on that head neck complex and so there's a greater likelihood for head and neck injury

[Andy Tagle]

when they've reached the max height or weight limit of the rear facing car seat. It's time for a front facing seat with a harness and tether. Then wait again until they reach max capacity there before leveling up again to a booster. Once they grow out of that one, you're still going to want to keep them in the backseat until they're at least 13 years old. So takeaway one it sounds deceptively simple, but make sure you've got the right chair for your child. For infants, it's pretty straightforward, but as they get older, you can quickly hit some gray areas. The expert advice? Take your time. For example, maybe your 6 year old son is right in between his forward facing chair and the booster and has been begging for a big boy seat like his older brother. Hold out. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, every time your child moves up a stage, they're a little less protected.

[Emily Thomas]

It's tempting to want to rush through the car seat stages, but we strongly advise you to not because you want to make sure that your child is properly protected for every single car ride.

[Andy Tagle]

Emily There's a huge range of price points for car seats and it can be really unnerving. I think I remember being like, am I a bad mother for not paying $700 for this infant car seat? Why do costs vary so much?

[Emily Thomas]

So a lot of times the costs can be dependent on, you know, perhaps the types of fabrics that they're using or other materials. You don't need to have an expensive car seat to have a safe car seat. Now, a more expensive car seat might get you perhaps some more premium fabric choices, maybe some nicer ease of use features. But when it comes down to crash protection, you know, just because you have a more expensive seat does not necessarily mean that you get better crash protection.

[Andy Tagle]

Is it okay to use someone else's car seat or to buy one secondhand as long as it's not expired?

[Emily Thomas]

Our recommendation is that you don't purchase car seats secondhand unless you are getting it from somebody that you really trust that you also know as being truthful about the history of the seat. Because you want to make sure it's not just about expiration. You need to check recalls on the seat to make sure there's no open recalls or they've been addressed. You also want to make sure that the car seat hasn't been in a crash. And so, you know, just picking up a seat in a tag sale or you know, that someone's just put out to the curb or, you know, a discount store or something like that, you're not going to know those things. And so really we don't recommend doing that. Unless of course, you can really verify the history of the seat takeaway.

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2.

[Andy Tagle]

You don't have to break the bank to find a safe car seat for your child. Luxury options are often just that. They offer features that can make travel for a kid or a parent that much easier. And that's not insubstantial. Things like a swivel bottom, for example, so you don't have to contort yourself in and out of that tiny back seat. Or more plush padding, magnetic buckle holders. Only you can decide if those things are worth the cost. One great tool for comparing and contrasting is is Consumer Reports car seat ratings. They're free, online and based on their own independent lab testing, including crash testing. You can filter by things like ease of use or fit to vehicle and read the pros and cons for lots of different car seats broken down by experts like Emily. Just generally speaking, though, Emily says a lot of seats come with additional safety features like flame retardant fabrics or enhanced side impact technology, not just the fancy ones.

[Emily Thomas]

The one that I will say probably has the most benefit for crash protection that we've seen in our testing is what's something called a load leg. So essentially this is a support leg that extends off of the front edge of the infant car seat base to the vehicle floor. And what this feature does is that in the event of a crash, it reduces the forward rotation and motion of the car seat. And so really the car seat is going to bear down on that leg. And as it does that, the leg is really like absorbing a lot of the crash energy, which means that there's less crash energy being transferred to the child in the car seat.

[Andy Tagle]

The data on this is pretty striking. Depending on the type of car seat, studies have found load legs can reduce the risk of head injury from anywhere from 25 to 65%. Here's another one.

[Emily Thomas]

A lot of car seats now also come with some sort of, you know, belt tensioning or a belt lock off.

[Andy Tagle]

This is a feature. Sometimes it'll look like a big clamp or a shoe buckle that ensures your car seat is locked into that Seat belt real nice and tight every time

[Emily Thomas]

where it doesn't move more than one inch side to side or front to back when you pull at that belt path.

[Andy Tagle]

The one inch rule can be really frustrating sometimes, but it's super important to get right. Imagine if your driver's seat shifted or slid every time you took a big turn or caught a bump on the road. That's what you're trying to avoid happening to your child's car seat.

[Emily Thomas]

The more secure that installation is, the more tied the car seat is to the vehicle, which means that it's going to work together as a system. And the car seat and the child are going to experience the benefit of the vehicle's crash management systems.

[Andy Tagle]

The car seats that I have right now, neither one of those have that feature. And I didn't know that before I bought the car seats. And I cannot tell you. I cannot tell you the pain that I experience every time we have to take those things in and out.

[Emily Thomas]

Yeah.

[Andy Tagle]

Okay. What about design features?

[Emily Thomas]

So something like a no rethread harness is really helpful as your child grows and you have to change the harness height in the car seat. So a no rethread harness basically just allows for you to make those harness adjustments so that the harness is fitting your child properly without having to uninstall your car seat.

[Andy Tagle]

Okay, what about car seat accessories? They sell like cushions to make the car seat level, or they have those pads. Sometimes they're made out of cloth or rubber. Rubber to protect the back seat.

[Emily Thomas]

You don't want to ever be using third party or aftermarket accessories with your car seat. So, you know, it's a shame that, like, when you go to a store and you're in the baby aisle or you're in the car seat aisle, there's like lots of different accessories that you can buy. You know, cute little harness covers or toys for the carry handle and all that kind of stuff. However, you know, anything that you're adding to your car seat, you're now changing the dynamic performance of the car seat. And so you don't want to be doing that. You don't want to add anything to the carry handles that could turn into projectiles during a crash. So really the recommendation across the industry is to only use the accessories that come with your car seat or that are approved by the car seat manufacturer.

[Andy Tagle]

I have one of those car seats where the user manual says if it's not quite secure, you can stick something underneath the base of it. It really worried me. It still, it still worries me because I'm like, I'm making it as secure as I possibly can. But they basically leave it up to a parent's discretion to figure out the best thing to stick under your, your kid in your car seat. Any advice on how best to go about that?

[Emily Thomas]

Yeah. So typically that's you're going to add a pool noodle or a roll towel when you're trying to achieve the proper recline. There's so much variance in vehicle seat design and in car seat design. Right. So having perfect compatibility, like the way with the way that our industry and regulations are, is not always guaranteed. So if, if that's what's prescribed by your manufacturer and it will say in the car seat manual, then yes, you know, that's fine. If you're really struggling, many of the manufacturers that you can call their customer service, they have certified car seat technicians available that will, like, go through your installation with you, help you with any tips and tricks. So that's really the best advice is follow whatever your manual says. You know, if the manual does not allow for a pool noodle or roll towel, then I would not introduce it and I would definitely contact the manufacturer's customer service.

[Andy Tagle]

All right, so we've gone down the car seat aisle. We know what features might be worth considering and what accessories to leave behind. Now it's time to actually install the thing. When we come back, we'll go over what that should and should not look like.

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[Andy Tagle]

All right, we're back with Life Kit and it's time to talk about car seat installation. If you're a parent to be maybe at this point you're tempted to tune out. You're thinking, surely the process can't be all that hard. We're gonna be great at this.

[Emily Thomas]

No, we're not. So car seat misuse rates are pretty high right now. The postnatal misuse rate is 72% according to this digital dashboard of car seat installations across the country.

[Andy Tagle]

72%?

[Emily Thomas]

Yes.

[Andy Tagle]

Of people with car seats miss install their car seats.

[Emily Thomas]

Right. And it could be, it could be how it's installed to the vehicle. It could be how they're using it. With their child, right how they're harnessing it. It could even be that they don't have the appropriate car seat for their child's age.

[Andy Tagle]

Height Weight Takeaway 3. Most people are using their car seats incorrectly, so don't stress if you're confused and don't assume you got it right on the first Go get your car seat checked by a local expert and feel free to consult another one when you feel unsure or if it's just been a while. The National Highway Traffic safety administration or NHTSA can offer you resources by zip code. Find [e-mail] that's n h t s a dot gov.

[Emily Thomas]

You can also look at safe kids worldwide to find where there's going to be car se check events and in your area. A lot of people think that if you just show up at the fire station or the police department that somebody's going to be able to check your car seat. That could be the case, but you do want to make sure that they're actually a certified car seat technician and they know what they're looking for.

[Andy Tagle]

Now moving into the most common mistakes that parents make when installing a car seat. There are a lot of them and Emily has written about this extensively, so you should definitely look her up for a full breakdown. But generally we can fit them into a few buckets. First up, the paperwork. Your car seat comes with a few important paper items in addition to all the hardware, so don't accidentally toss them out with a box. One is the card you need to fill out to register your car seat. Take the time to do that first thing so you can be directly informed about any recalls on your chair.

[Emily Thomas]

The other hold onto your manual. Actually look at it. Keep it with your car seat. There is a storage pocket for it.

[Andy Tagle]

Next, seat tightness. This refers to the installation of the car seat to the car so that no moving more than an inch roll that we were talking about earlier. Emily says often that seatbelt will just be too loose. Another common mistake with seat belts is using the wrong belt path. That's where you feed the seatbelt through to connect the car seat to the car. If you're using a convertible or an all in one, there's usually one belt path for rear facing and another for forward facing.

[Emily Thomas]

So look closely because the belt paths are designed so that depending on which orientation you're using the car seat, it's going to really pull the car seat close to the vehicle seat. So if you're using the wrong belt path, you're introducing more room into the

[Andy Tagle]

installation Essentially, for front facing seats, make sure to actually attach the tether. People often look at that part as optional. And for rear facing seats, there's one more hurdle.

[Emily Thomas]

You want to make sure that you're adjusting the recline of the car seat so that you're in the proper range. This is especially important for small babies, right where their necks are not strong enough to hold up their heads alone. And so if the car seat is overly upright, their heads are going to flop forward and then they're going to obstruct their own breathing. If they're overly reclined, then that can increase their injury risk.

[Andy Tagle]

Next up, harness height. The rule on this changes depending on which way your child is facing. So if they're still facing the rear,

[Emily Thomas]

you want to make sure that that harness strap is at or slightly below your child's shoulder where it goes into the car seat. If they're forward facing, it should be at or slightly above your child's shoulder. You also want to make sure that the harness is snug enough that when you go to pinch the harness webbing at your child's shoulder with like your thumb and your forefinger, you can't actually get any webbing between your finger.

[Andy Tagle]

Once that harness is tight enough, take a look at the chest clip. That's the extra connection point on each arm strap above the center buckle.

[Emily Thomas]

You're going to move that chest clip up to armpit level. And what that does is it helps to ensure that the car seat straps stay over your child's shoulder in a crash and help restrain them and keep them within the protection of the car seat shell.

[Andy Tagle]

And then what about the bottom part of their, of that five part harness? Because I feel like I always hear about the chest clip, but I don't know what his, you know, is their best or worst thing to do with their, with their legs?

[Emily Thomas]

Yeah. So crotch buckle placement, it's going to be in your owner's manual. And most will say, you know, it should be close but not underneath the child. Right. So you don't want to be where the crotch buckle goes into the car seat shell that should not be underneath the child. So there's typically multiple slots that that crotch buckle can be in. So you'll make the adjustment appropriately for that last up.

[Andy Tagle]

Harness tightness and final checks. Here's how Emily does it.

[Emily Thomas]

What I often do is I kind of just press down on the crotch buckle area to remove the slack from around their hips, slide the chest clip all the way down to like, where the crotch buckle is, and then Tighten the harness strap, because as you do that, the chest clip's going to ride up anyways, and then you can make the final adjustment. But doing that kind of just allows for you to get all the slack out of the hips first and then get the rest of the slack out of, like, the torso area, and then you can finally move the chest clip into the right position.

[Andy Tagle]

And this is with no jackets, right?

[Emily Thomas]

Correct. So you want to make sure that if your child is, you know, wearing any extra layers or they're wearing a coat, that it doesn't introduce any slack into their harness system. So we typically recommend to not wear coats underneath the car seat harness. So in a crash, you know, that fabric and that puffiness, whatever is going to compress. And so now it's going to create extra room between your child and their harness, which means there's extra room for them to be able to move and not be, like, fully protected by their car seat. And we, I understand parents are concerned about, like, you know, keeping their child warm in the car and stuff. And so, you know, for small babies, we recommend after you have them harnessed properly, that you can drape a blanket over their harness. For older kids, and I do this with my own right, you can put their coat on backwards over their harness. So it's like a blanket kind of. And so that can just kind of help with keeping them warm in the car as well.

[Andy Tagle]

So takeaway four here. There are a lot of ways to incorrectly install your car seat. We only name the top few here. So read your manual, keep it with your car seat, and refer back to it as often as you need. Check that your child is safely secured for every ride, and be sure to check the integrity of your installation every so often, because another thing to remember is that even a perfect professional install can loosen over time, and growth spurts can hit quick. Also, all car seats have an expiration date. Most are around six to seven years. Some are up to 10. Emily says that shelf life ensures that all the components of your seat are still up to current safety standards, which is another reason, by the way. She suggests buying a new car seat and using your own whenever possible, rather than, say, renting one from a rental car company because you just can't know for sure about the crash history of a stranger's car seat. Okay, speaking of car crashes, do you always need to replace your car seat when you get into a crash?

[Emily Thomas]

Every car seat manufacturer has slightly different guidelines. You should always check what your manufacturer specifies. There's many that say that if it's been in any type of crash that you should replace the car seats because you can't always see the damage that's been done to the seat. Other manufacturers follow the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's recommendation for if a vehicle has been in a moderate to severe crash.

[Andy Tagle]

But to be clear, the answer isn't a hard and fast yes, you must replace every car seat for every crash, which was news to me and could save you a nice chunk of change. One more helpful tip for you. What should people consider about their cars before choosing a car seat? Are there certain seats that are more or less compatible with certain cars?

[Emily Thomas]

So it's challenging because there's so many options and vehicle seat geometries can vary so widely.

[Andy Tagle]

Right?

[Emily Thomas]

But ultimately, what I tell people is if you have kids and you're shopping for a car, take your car seats to the dealership. Whatever car you are considering buying, take your car seats with you. And when you go for your test drive, install your car seats. Make sure that you can actually get them securely installed with the vehicle belt with the lower anchors. Especially if your kids are rear facing, make sure you can get that rear facing car seat to fit in that rear cabin space and you are still able to comfortably sit in front of them, whether as the driver or the front passenger. Right? Those are all important things that you need to know before making that vehicle decision.

[Andy Tagle]

And that's in keeping with our last takeaway. Number five, always choose safety over convenience or what other people think you should be doing. Set the same standard no matter where you are or who you're driving with.

[Emily Thomas]

Just having that consistency in the safety messaging for your child is also really key. Right? So, like, you know, even if they're just doing a short car ride down the road, right to grandma's house or whatever, like, it's still the same rules. Everybody buckles up. Everybody is, you know, properly restrained.

[Andy Tagle]

Final thoughts, words of advice, words of comfort for all the very tired parents out there on their car seat journeys.

[Emily Thomas]

Ultimately, parents have a lot going on. This is something that, like, is super important. So take the time, educate yourself. I know it's inconvenient. I know it's hard. You're doing great. And what you didn't know before, that's okay.

[Andy Tagle]

Emily, thank you for that. I needed that today. Emily A. Thomas, such a pleasure. Thank you so much for your time.

[Emily Thomas]

Thanks for having me.

[Andy Tagle]

All right, let's throw it in reverse and go back through what we learned. Takeaway 1. Make sure you have the appropriate chair for your child. Every stage up means a little less protection, so if your kid is in between stages, opt for the lower one. Takeaway 2 you don't have to break the bank to find a safe car seat for your child. If you're looking for special features to separate one car seat from another, here are Emily's a load leg, a no rethread harness, and seats with a belt lock or belt tensioning. I second that last recommendation by like Infinity, by the way. Takeaway 3 Most people are using their car seats incorrectly, so please do yourself and your family a favor. Put on your seatbelt and then go and get that chair checked by an expert. Know the common seat installation mistakes and keep your kid as safe as possible. Read your manual, keep it with your car seat, check your kid's fit every time, and take the time to make adjustments before you get moving. And finally, takeaway 5 Choose safety over convenience. That means maintaining a safety standard that applies no matter where you are, who your kid is driving with, or how short the ride. We'll all be safer for that in the long run.

[Mariel Segarra]

That was reporter Andy Tagle. By the way, I know you're listening to an episode about car seat safety, but did you know Life Kit covers so much more money, mental health, cooking, your career, you name it. The best way to never miss an episode? Tap the follow button now. This episode of Life Kit was produced by Claire Marie Schneider. Our digital editor is Malika Garib, and Meghan Keane is our senior supervising editor. Beth Donovan is our executive producer. Our production team also includes Margaret Serino, Sylvie Douglas, and Mika Ellison. Engineering support comes from Damien Herring. Fact Checking by Tyler Jones. I'm Mariel Segarra. Thanks for listening.

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