Test Your Car Seat Safety IQ

Our children are the most precious cargo we carry in our vehicles, and ensuring their protection in the case of an accident is vital.

Take our car seat safety quiz to find out how much you know about keeping your kids safe in the car.

1. True or false: At 2 years old, a child is officially ready for a forward-facing car seat.
2. True or false: An infant seat should recline at a 45 degree angle.
3. True or false: A child is ready to transition from a booster seat to an adult seatbelt as soon as his/her knees bend at the front of the seat cushion and his/her back and bottom are against the back of the seat.
4. True or false: If you can move the car seat two inches from side to side after installation, it is properly installed.
5. True or false: LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children.
6. True or false: All rear-facing car seats, forward-facing car seats, and booster seats use basically the same one-size-fits-all approach.
7. True or false: Not all car seats fit in all vehicles.
8. True or false: Carefully reading the car seat instruction manual and portion of your vehicle’s owner’s manual on car seat installation is a critical step in ensuring proper car seat safety.
9. True or false: Children should ride in the back seat until they are 13 years of age.
10. True or false: Harness straps should have a few inches of slack.

Answers:

1. False
   1. Although age 2 is the average age a child graduates on to a forward-facing car seat, it must also be determined that the child’s height and weight have reached the car seat’s maximum rear-facing threshold.
2. True
3. True
4. False
   1. A car seat should not move more than one inch from side to side or front to back after installation.
5. True
6. False
   1. Height and weight limits for children vary greatly among car seat brands and sizes. When purchasing a car seat, review the specifications closely to ensure the seat you choose is designed to fit your child’s size and age.
7. True
   1. Car seats come in all shapes and sizes. Before purchasing a car seat, install it in your car to ensure you can secure it tightly and also leave room for your child’s legs and your front-seat passengers.
8. True
9. True
10. False
    1. Your child’s harness straps should fit snug and tight over his or her shoulders without any slack.

http://www.safercar.gov/parents/index.htm

http://www.safekids.org/sites/default/files/documents/2013_parent_car_seat_checklist.pdf

http://www.nhtsa.gov/search?q=car+seat&x=0&y=0