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Installing Child Restraints
The most common question we get asked is "What is the safest car seat?", and the answer is this, The safest car seat is the one that fits your child and car correctly, and is used correctly everytime.
People often install car seats very quickly into their car, taking shortcuts that could cause serious harm to your child in the event of an accident. By taking it one step at a time, you can reduce the possibility of serious injury to your child - they will thank you for it later.
All in all, the car seat takes less than 5 minutes to correctly install, and the more you practice, the quicker it gets. I can have the car seat into and out of my car in less than 30 seconds nowadays.
Always read the instruction manual came with your car seat, if you are unsure of any aspect of using or installing your child's car seat you can either, contact the importer/reseller, or request a seat check by a Safe2Go technician, or a Plunket car seat rental staff member.
Please note: This page is to assist car seat installation and should not be used to replace information and physical checks that are carried out by technicians and other trained professionals. A correctly installed child restraint can reduce severe injuries by up to 70%. This page is a guide, not a God, for accurate information have your seat checked by a trainned professional, or follow the instruction booklet step by step.
Always have your car seat installation checked by a trained professional. Click here to contact a safe2go member in your area.
Lower tethers (aka Isofix/Latch)
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Improving your install & Troubleshoot
Removing slack & lock-mode belts
Getting the correct angle for rear facing
Accident do happen. The largest percentage of accidents happen within a few kilometers of the home.
Frontal impacts make up the largest percentage of accidents, this is why it is important that children under 12 years of age are placed in the rear seat at all times. Until around 12 years of age, your child's body is too underdeveloped to take the forces of a head on accident, and serious damage could result in the child's abdomen, pelvic region, neck and spine. The rear seat is better designed for small bodies.
The image below refers to left hand driven cars. The drivers side therefore takes 9% to their door, and 20% to the front guard. The front half of the car adds up to 70% of the total accidents the side and rear making up only 20%.
While the centre position helps protect your child from a side on impact it is not always possible to use the centre rear position. When you need to use the side (outboard) location, make sure the seat is correcly installed to reduce injury to your child.
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Removing slack & using lock-mode belts
If your car is fitted with ALR seat belts and you want to get the best install without fiddling with the belt only to have it slip out of your hands in the process meaning that you have to start again try the following steps.
1. Decide on where you want your child restraint to be placed.
2. Feed the belt through the belt guide (rear or forward facing path).
3. Buckle up the seat belt.
4. Fully extend the seat belt, make sure you do not yank on the belt while pulling it out. When you think you have reached the end, try to pull it out some more incase the belt has not fully extended.
5. Push your body weight into the seat, while doing so the belt may automatically retract and a faint clicking sound may be heard, this is fine.
6. Feed the lap portion through back towards the retractor while keeping your weight on the seat. Continue up until the shoulder portion has been feed back to the retractor.
7. Try moving your seat from side to side, if the seat has excessive movement repeat from step 5.
If your seat tilts to one side after the steps above have been followed, try your seat in another position. If the seat still tilts undo the vehicle belt, feed the belt back into the retractor, when you pull on it now it should move freely. Keeping the belts as they are use a locking clip to secure the lap/sash belt together by the latch plate. See Using a locking clip.
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Back seats of cars differ a lot during the manufacturing process, some seats are longer at the base, others higher at the back, and the angle of these seats may sit upright while others are quite reclined and can be adjusted to sit more upright.
When installing your rear facing car seat you may notice that the seat sits too upright for a younger child. This can be corrected safely by using a rolled up towel, or pool noodle under the seat.
An example of this can be seen in the photo below. (Using green swimming pool noodles). No other items should be used under your child's car seat. A blanket or other object may compress too much during an accident and the seat may tip too far forward which could harm your child. Always secure belts tightly when using rolled towels or pool noodles.
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Jump to: Infant seat install
Toddler seat install
Booster seat install
Installation video
Related pages: Top tether strap
Lower tethers
Correct child restraint use offers the best protection.
Shortcuts save time, not lives.
Don't be in a rush.