How to buckle your child safely into a car seat

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Mass Appeal) - As a parent you want to keep your baby safe. By using the right car seat the right way on every ride, you can help keep your baby safe on the way.

Magda Rodriguez, certified car seat technician from SAFEKids with Baystate Children's Hospital, showed us all how to buckle your child into a car seat correctly.

Here are the top tips to follow when using a rear-facing car seat. Keep your baby rear facing for as long as possible.

Top Tips For the Best Possible Protection:

• Keep your baby in a rear-facing child safety seat in a back seat for as long as possible - up to the height or weight limit of the particular seat. The "12 months and 20 pounds" rule that many parents cite when turning their child forward-facing in the car is actually the minimum size and age requirement for that change.
• New recommendations suggest that children remain rear-facing to age 2. Keep a baby rear-facing in a convertible seat until he or she reaches the maximum height or weight allowed by the manufacturer. For many children that will be 30, 35 or even 40 pounds.
• Many kids will be over age 2 when they reach that weight. Rear-facing occupants are safest. Use your baby's car seat rear-facing and semi-reclined to no more than 45 degrees, so the baby's head stays in contact with the seat and the baby's airway stays open.
• Read the car seat instructions. Make sure the buckled harness straps that keep your baby properly positioned and secured in the car seat fit snugly.
• Loose harness straps don't provide maximum protection. Be sure the harness is tight enough that you cannot pinch webbing at the shoulder. Position the shoulder straps through the slots at or below your baby's shoulders. Adjust the chest clip to armpit level. Use either the car's seat belt or LATCH system to lock the car seat into the car. Do not use both systems at the same time.
• Your car seat should not move more than one inch side to side or front to back. Grab the car seat at the safety belt or LATCH path to test it.
• Every car seat has an expiration date. Generally, it is six years from manufacture. Many have the expiration date stamped on the seat.
• Contact the manufacturer of your specific seat to find out what its expiration date is. Never buy a used car seat if you do not know its full history.
• Never use a car seat that has been in a crash. Avoid seats sold at flea markets or yard sales or online.
• Do not use any products that did not come from the manufacturer in or with the car seat. Car seat fabrics meet strict fire safety codes. Add-on toys can injure your child in a crash. Find the frontal airbags in your vehicle by checking the owner's manual.
• Never put a rear-facing car seat in front of an active frontal airbag. Children are always safest in a back seat.
• Have your car seat checked by a currently certified child passenger safety technician to make sure it is properly installed.
• Never leave a child alone in a vehicle - not even for a minute