The SeatCheck blog
Plain-English guides to car seat lifespan, safety rules and what to do with old seats.
Car seat top tether: what it does, where the anchor is
The strap at the top of a forward-facing seat is the step most often left dangling. It takes a minute to clip in, and both the AAP and seat makers say to use it.
installationCar seat installation: LATCH vs seat belt, inch test
Pick one installation method, lock it, tighten it, then test it where it matters: at the belt path, not the top of the seat.
LATCHLATCH weight limits: when you must switch to the belt
Federal rules stop testing a harnessed seat on the lower anchors once the child and the seat together pass a set weight. Past that point the belt install is the proven one.
recallsCar seat recalls: how to check yours
Federal rules put a registration card in every car seat box for one reason: a recall notice can only reach the people the manufacturer can find.
boosterWhen to switch to a booster: height and weight, not age
NHTSA and the AAP both tie the switch to the manufacturer's limits. Here are the checks that actually decide it.
winterWinter coats and car seats: the rule parents miss
A puffy coat flattens on impact and lets a child slip the straps. Here is what the AAP says to do instead.
mistakes8 car seat mistakes most parents make (and quick fixes)
Around half of car seats are used with at least one error. The good news: nearly all of the common ones take under five minutes to fix.
rear-facingExtended rear-facing: how long should your child face backward?
Age 2 is a floor, not a finish line. Most convertible seats can keep a child rear-facing to age 3, 4 or beyond, and the data says to use them.
expirationCar seat expiration dates by brand: all 14 compared
Useful life ranges from 6 to 12 years depending on the brand and even the model line. The full comparison, plus who is most and least generous.
used seatsUsed car seat buying checklist: when second-hand is safe
Hand-me-downs from people you trust can be fine. Marketplace mysteries usually are not. Here is how to tell which one you are looking at.