Common Mistakes When Using a Car Seat Harness

How to Properly Use a Harnessing Child Restraint

Nov 6, 2008

Automobile accidents are the number one cause of death in children. Many of these deaths can been prevented by using the child's harnessing restraint properly.

A study conducted for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that over 80% of infant and toddler car seats are used improperly (NHTSA 2005). One of those common areas of misuse revolves around the restraint's harness. Because the harness is what keeps the child in the seat, parents should be mindful of these common errors when using the harness.

The Danger of Twisted Straps

It is imperative that parents make sure the harness straps are not twisted when securing the child in the seat. Twisted straps will put more pressure on the child rather than distributing the child's weight more evenly. The harness should be positioned securely over the middle of the child's shoulders and not positioned dangerously on the edge of the shoulder. The harness should come up over the hips rather than the belly. In a crash the result of a twisted, improperly positioned harness can be skin burns, abrasions, internal injuries, and even ejection from the restraint.

Placement of Chest Clip and Straps

The chest clip serves the purpose of keeping the harness positioned appropriately at all times. The position of the clip will affect how the harness restrains the child's body. The chest clip is properly positioned when it rests at arm pit level. It should never be positioned near the neck or over the belly. Proper placement will help to prevent choking hazards and damage to internal organs in a crash.

Ensuring a Tight, Secure Harness Fit

To check to see if the harness is tight enough and providing a secure fit, parents can perform two simple tests. The first is to check that they cannot slip a finger between the child's shoulder and the harness. The second would be to make certain the slack of the harness strap cannot be pinched by the thumb and index finger at the shoulder level.

Rear-Facing Harness Height vs. Forward-Facing Harness Height

Many parents are unaware of the proper height placement of the harness. When a child is placed rear-facing, the harness straps must be at or below shoulder level. This is different when a child sits forward facing, and the straps should be at or above shoulder level.

The Danger of Coat Compression

Many well-meaning parents will bundle their child in a warm winter coat before placing her in the car seat. However, bulky clothing placed under the harness can cause coat compression, leaving enough slack in the harness that will result in serious injury. In some cases, children have been ejected from their car seat leaving their coat behind. Warm polar fleece is a safe option to bulky clothing. Alternatively, securing the child in the harness and slipping the coat on backwards over top the harness is a much safer option.

When to Switch a Combination Car Seat to a Booster

Combination child restraints are seats that function as a harnessing car seat and then convert to a belt positioning booster. Parents should use the harness to the highest weight limit detailed in the manual or when their shoulders reach the top most harness slots. Only at this point, should they switch the child to the belt positioning booster mode. However, recent studies have been critical of the safety of the seat when used as a belt positioning booster seat (IIHS 2008). Parents should thoroughly research their combination car seat to learn of the potential dangers.

Parents should always read their car seat manual thoroughly to be certain of the particulars of their car seat model. It is imperative that the car seat harness is used correctly. When that occurs, car seats can keep the smallest of passengers safe by preventing injury and death.

Lawrence E. Decina, Kathy H. Lococo, and Alan W. Block. "Misuse Of Child Restraints: Results Of A Workshop To Review Field Data Results". University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, Highway Safety Research Center (HSRC) under the NHTSA contract “Behavioral Research for Traffic Safety” (DTNH22-02-D-85121). 2005.

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Press Release: "Many booster seats aren't up to the job of improving safety belt fit for children." October 1, 2008.

The copyright of the article Common Mistakes When Using a Car Seat Harness in Kids' Safety Products is owned by Jennifer White. Permission to republish Common Mistakes When Using a Car Seat Harness in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.