1. National Standardized Child Passenger Safety Training Program May 2004
Correct Installation of Child Safety Seats

2. Objectives
List and explain each of the elements of correct installation
Describe and demonstrate correct installation of CRSs
Describe and demonstrate the ways to make common configurations of retractors and latchplates secure a CRS
Correct Installation - 2

3. Objectives Describe the function of LATCH
Explain the uses and limitations of vehicle and CRS instructions
Describe the air bag risks to children and the ways to prevent them
Correct Installation - 3

4. Importance of Correct Installation
Incorrect installation can be fatal
Installation instructions based on FMVSS 213 testing
Testing done under “ideal” conditions with tight safety belt
Real world conditions are MUCH different
Correct Installation - 4

5. Reasons for Incorrect Installations
Lack of information
Lack of instructions
Failure to read instructions
Confusing instructions
CRS and vehicle incompatibilities
Correct Installation - 5

6. Elements of Correct Installation
Direction
Location
Belt path
Tight safety belt or lower anchorage belt
Correct Installation - 6

7. Direction Forward or rearward facing
Rear facing until at least 20 pounds AND at least 1 year old
For optimal protection, RF to max weight and/or height for CRS
Correct Installation - 7

8. Rear-Facing Back Angle
Back is primary restraint
Balance with comfort and keeping airway open
Range - 30o to 45o - according to manufacturer’s instructions
Newborns more reclined
More upright as child grows
Car bed option for special needs
Courtesy of Kathleen Weber
Child Passenger Protection Research Program
University of Michigan Medical School
Correct Installation - 8

9. Direction Forward-facing: Upright or semi-recline
Adjust recline angle to upright
Correct Installation - 9

10. What is the safest location?
Location in Vehicle
What is the safest location?
Correct Installation - 10

11. Location in Vehicle Safest location considerations:
Front or back seat?
Back seat is best for all children
Center rear is safest
Sometimes front seat is a better option
Never place rear facing infant in front of active air bag
Correct Installation - 11

12. Location in Vehicle Safest location considerations:
Vehicle seat design
Type of safety belt systems or LATCH
Needs of all passengers (children and adults)
Correct Installation - 12

13. Location in Vehicle Special considerations for rear facing seats:
Space requirements
Seat slope
Correct Installation - 13

14. Location in Vehicle
Noodles or towels help achieve proper recline angle
Avoid over reclining
Avoid interfering with safety belt routing
NO!
YES
Correct Installation - 14

15. Location in Vehicle Special considerations for forward facing seats:
Width of CRS
Size of vehicle
Tether strap (length and anchor location)
Correct Installation - 15

16. Which location in the vehicle is the safest for each child?
Location in Vehicle
Which location in the vehicle is the safest for each child?
Correct Installation - 16

17. Installation Class Exercise
What are the SAFEST locations in THIS vehicle for ALL of these occupants?
Parent # 2
2 months old, 11lbs
3 years old, 30lbs
7 years old, 64lbs
Lap/shoulder
Air Bag & Lap/shoulder
Lap Only
DRIVER
Air Bag & Lap/shoulder
Lap/shoulder
Correct Installation - 17

18. Installation Class Exercise
What are the SAFEST locations in THIS vehicle for ALL of these occupants?
Parent # 2
7 months old, 24 lbs.
2 years old, 27 lbs.
4 years old, 41 lbs.
12 years old, 85 lbs.
DRIVER
Air Bag & L/S
Lap/shoulder
Lap Only
Air Bag & Lap belt
Air Bag & Lap/shoulder
Correct Installation - 18

19. Belt Path Finding the correct belt path Look for belt paths
Read manufacturer’s instructions
Correct Installation - 19

20. Finding the correct belt path
Forward Facing
Rear Facing
Correct Installation - 20

21. Tight Safety Belt Tightly securing the CRS
Install as tightly as possible with reasonable force
Pull CRS at belt path
CRS should not move side to side or forward more than 1”
Parent must be able to repeat installation
Correct Installation - 21

22. General Methods to Obtain a Tight Installation
CRS facing proper direction
Correct belt path
Compress vehicle seat cushion
Buckle, tighten, lock the safety belt
No more than 1” of movement at the belt path
Correct Installation - 22

23. Installing a CRS with a Safety Belt
Lap belt (or lap belt portion of lap and shoulder combination) is what holds CRS
Lap belt must stay tight and locked at all times
Some automatic safety belt systems cannot be used
Correct Installation - 23

24. Installing a CRS With: Automatic Safety Belt Systems
If automatic shoulder with no lap belt: cannot install CRS
If automatic shoulder with manual lap belt: may be able to use
If automatic lap and shoulder: must have auxiliary lap belt installed
Correct Installation - 24

25. Three Ways to Lock a Safety Belt:
Locking Latch Plate
Locking Retractor
Locking Clip (Regular or Belt shortening)
Correct Installation - 25

26. Installing a CRS With: A Locking Latch Plate
Locking latch plate may be standard, lightweight, or switchable
May be on a lap only belt or continuous loop lap and shoulder belt
To install a CRS
Put switchable latch plate in locked mode first
Route belt through correct belt path and buckle
Push down on seat while pulling up on webbing to tighten
Check for tight installation
Check latch plate angle
Correct Installation - 26

27. If Standard Locking Latch Plate Doesn't Stay Locked
Unbuckle and flip
NEVER use a locking clip on system that doesn't have a retractor!
Correct Installation - 27

28. If Lightweight Locking Latch Plate Doesn't Stay Locked
Try twisting buckle stalk webbing to move latch plate lower
If continuous loop lap and shoulder belt, locking clip may be used
Correct Installation - 28

29. Installing a CRS With Locking Retractors
Systems with a Locking Retractor
ALR or
Switchable
Lap only may have a sewn or locking latch plate
Lap and shoulder combination
May have sliding, locking, or sewn latch plate
Separate webbing systems with sewn-on latch plate usually have locking retractor in lap belt portion
Correct Installation - 29

30. Installing a CRS With an Automatic Locking Retractor
Pull belt all the way out
Route belt through correct belt path and buckle
Push down on CRS while feeding belt slack into retractor
Belt automatically locks as it is fed into retractor
Check to be sure retractor stays locked
Correct Installation - 30

31. Installing a CRS With a Switchable Retractor
Route belt through correct belt path and buckle
Switch retractor
Pull belt all the way out to the end, or
Push button on retractor
Push down on CRS while feeding belt slack into retractor
Belt automatically locks as it is fed into retractor
Check to be sure retractor stays locked.
Correct Installation - 31

32. Installing a CRS With a Switchable Retractor
Special Situations
Tension in shoulder portion may lift up CRS
Keep in ELR mode and
Use locking clip
When using with a BPB, may switch to ALR unless otherwise stated by CRS manufacturer
Correct Installation - 32

33. Systems that Need a Regular Locking Clip
Pre-crash positioning device
To use, ALL 3 conditions must be present (unless otherwise stated by the manufacturer):
Continuous loop lap & shoulder belt
ELR (may be switchable left in ELR mode
Latch plate does not stay locked with reasonable pressure at belt path
NEVER use a regular locking clip on a belt system that does not have a retractor!
Correct Installation - 33

34. Using a Regular Locking Clip
Route belt through correct belt path and buckle
Push down on CRS while pulling up on webbing to tighten
Hold both pieces of webbing together and unbuckle
Attach RLC within 1" of latch plate and re-buckle
Incorrect placement could cause the safety belt to fail--introducing slack, increasing head excursion, and causing serious injury
Correct Installation - 34

35. Attached or Built-In Locking Clips/Lock-offs
Pre-crash positioning device - holds CRS in place prior to crash
During crash, retractor locks the belt and keeps CRS in place
Use according to manufacturer's instructions
Adding a regular locking clip should only be considered if the CRS will not stay locked in place and the CRS manufacturer allows it
Correct Installation - 35

36. Systems that Need a Belt Shortening Clip
Shortening clip required for systems with
Emergency locking retractor AND
Sewn-on latch plate
Must use "heavy duty" clip
Possible fix for cases where the buckle is on a long piece of webbing
Should be used as a last resort -- finding another seating position is the best solution
Correct Installation - 36

37. Using a Belt-Shortening Clip
Route belt through correct belt path and buckle
Push down on CRS, pull belt out of retractor to end
Make loop of excess webbing
Thread clip on webbing and double-back to keep from slipping
Re-buckle and test for tightness
Correct Installation - 37

38. Tightening Tools NO regulations or recommended testing procedures
Concerns about possible stress on CRS due to over-tightening
Vehicle mfgs. do not approve of their use on their safety belts
CRS mfgs. do not approve of their use with their products
Correct Installation - 38

39. Installing the Flexible LATCH System CRS
Locate the lower anchor in the vehicle seat
Position CRS in appropriate direction for size and age of child
Lock snap hooks or other attachments to lower anchors
Put weight on CRS and tighten webbing and check for tightness
Attach tether strap (if applicable)
Correct Installation - 39

40. Installing the Rigid LATCH System CRS
Locate the lower anchor in the vehicle seat
Position CRS in appropriate direction for size and age of child
Push rigid attachments onto anchors
Check that both are locked and adjust if necessary
Attach tether strap (if applicable)
Correct Installation - 40

41. Installing LATCH System Seat
Some vehicles will have plastic guides to help align rigid attachments with lower anchors
Labels are also used for easy identification of the lower anchor locations
Correct Installation - 41

42. LATCH Best Practices Situation:
If CRS has LATCH attachments but vehicle has no LATCH.
Vehicle has LATCH anchors but CRS does not have LATCH attachments.
Both CRS and vehicle have user-ready LATCH hardware but the system is not used.
Both CRS and vehicle have LATCH hardware but no tether is used.
LATCH components used incorrectly
Correct Installation - 42

43. Function, Installation, and Use of Tether Straps
Tether strap can improve performance of CRS when its use is recommended by the mfg.
Reduces the forward movement and rotation of the seat
Adds additional stability to CRS installation
Correct Installation - 43

44. Tether Anchors
All passenger vehicles made on or after 9/1/00 are required to be equipped with tether anchor points installed
Consult the vehicle owners’ manual to determine correct anchor location
Correct Installation - 44

45. Tether Anchors
Vehicles 1986 to September, 1999 have tether anchor locations
Locations will have pre-drilled holes, “dimples” marking anchor points to drill, or welded nuts for anchors
Correct Installation - 45

46. Tether Anchors Anchor installation can be made in:
The rear window shelf directly behind the safety seat
The floor of a cargo area directly behind the seating position
The ceiling to the rear of the seating position
Check vehicle owners manual for correct location
Correct Installation - 46

47. Anchor Installation KEY Points
Parents CAN install anchors themselves
Use vehicle-specific anchor kit whenever possible
If kit not available, use CRS mfg. supplied hardware and consult vehicle mfg. for proper installation
Correct Installation - 47

48. Tethers Best Practices
Situation:
CRS has a tether and vehicle has a tether anchor installed.
CRS has a tether, but vehicle has no tether anchor.
Neither CRS nor vehicle has tether hardware.
Both the CRS and vehicle have user-ready tether hardware but the tether is not used.
Tether is used incorrectly (attached to an improper place, tether used RF on seat designed for FF tether, etc.)
Correct Installation - 48

49. Rear Facing Tethering
Currently, only Britax CSSs are designed to be tethered rear facing
NEVER tether a CRS rear-facing unless allowed by CRS manufacturer
Tethering a rear-facing CRS when not allowed will negatively effect its crash performance
Correct Installation – 49

50. Rear Facing Tethering Australian and Swedish Methods
Australian Method =
Toward Rear of Vehicle
Swedish Method =
Toward Front of Vehicle
Correct Installation - 50

51. Frequently Asked Questions About LATCH
Can new LATCH-equipped CRS still be used in older model vehicles without LATCH?
Can two CRS lower attachments be installed on a single vehicle lower anchor?
Is installation with the LATCH anchors always better than with a seat belt?
Can the two inner LATCH anchors from the outboard seating positions be used to install a LATCH-equipped CRS in the center seat?
Correct Installation – 51 (Optional)

52. Frequently Asked Questions About LATCH
Can vehicles be retrofitted with lower LATCH anchors?
Can CRS be retrofitted with flexible lower LATCH attachments?
Does it matter in which direction the child restraint tether hook is attached to the vehicle tether anchor?
How can I achieve the 45 degree recline angle with a rear-facing LATCH restraint?
Correct Installation – 52 (Optional)

53. Frequently Asked Questions About LATCH
Should LATCH be used to attach a combination child restraint/ BPB when being used as a BPB?
Must LATCH anchors be replaced after use in a crash?
Is it ever appropriate to install a CRS using both the LATCH anchors and the seat belt?
Correct Installation – 53 (Optional)

54. Frequently Asked Questions About Tethers
If a CRS comes with a tether, must the tether always be used?
Can a tether strap kit made for one restraint be used on a different CRS?
Can two tethers be hooked to the same anchor?
Is it possible to tighten a tether strap too much?
Correct Installation - 54 (Optional)

55. Frequently Asked Questions About Tethers
Can a tether cause neck injury?
Can a tether cause injury to other passengers in a vehicle?
Where is the tether stowed when it is not being used?
Can tether anchors be used to attach seat belts or harness systems for adults or larger children?
Should a tether anchor be replaced after a crash?
Correct Installation - 55 (Optional)

56. Hands-On Exercise Correctly install at least one of each type of CRS
Use appropriate and varied vehicle seating positions and belt systems
Use locking clip
Use belt shortening clip
Practice with tether and LATCH
Correct Installation - 56

57. Hands-On Exercise
Install each of the listed CRSs and requested tasks in any vehicle
Instructor must check and initial
Use variety of vehicles and safety belt systems
Correct Installation - 57