Correct Harness Use
Using a harness incorrectly is one of the most common mistakes parents and caregivers make when using a car seat. Read your owner's manual to determine proper harness use. Pay careful attention to what the manufacturer of your seat says is the maximum weight limit for the harness as it's used, i.e. rear-facing weight limit or forward-facing weight limit. The pictures seen here are meant to be used as a supplement to your manual.
What is a snug harness? Per federal requirements, current instruction manuals define a snug harness as: "A snug strap should not allow any slack. It lies in a relatively straight line without sagging. It does not press on the child's flesh or push the child's body into an unnatural position." The vast majority of parents and caregivers still leave the harness too loose, even given these guidelines. Think about snugness as "snug as a hug from a friend." Find your seat type below and use these guidelines in conjunction with the car seat manual to properly secure your child.
Chest Clip Types
Click here to see a paperclip-style chest clip.
Click here to see a 2-piece chest clip.
Rear-Facing Seats
Click here to see when a rear-facing seat is outgrown.
- use harness slots at or below child's shoulders (exception: Fisher Price Stay In View)
- shoulder straps fit snugly--can only fit 1 finger between harness and shoulder or use pinch test
- use buckle position closest to baby
- chest clip is fastened at armpit level
- harness forms the shape of a V
- use harness slots at or below child's shoulders (exception: Fisher Price Stay In View)
- shoulder straps fit snugly--can only fit 1 finger between harness and shoulder or use pinch test
- hip straps fit either snugly over hips or on top of thighs, depending on seat
- use buckle position closest to baby
- if there is a chest clip, it is fastened at armpit level
Convertible Seat
- use harness slots at or below child's shoulders (exception: Fisher Price Safe Embrace)
- shoulder straps fit snugly--can only fit 1 finger between harness and shoulder or use pinch test
- hip straps fit either snugly over hips or on top of thighs, depending on seat
- use buckle position closest to baby
- if there is a chest clip, it is fastened at armpit level
- use harness slots at or below child's shoulders
- shoulder straps fit snugly--can only fit 1 finger between harness and shoulder or use pinch test
- if shield is adjustable, it is in closest position to child's body
- use buckle position closest to baby
- chest clip is fastened at armpit level
This type of harness is not recommended for a child small enough to rear-face.
- rolled receiving blankets are used on either side of the baby's head for support
- blankets are positioned after baby has been properly buckled
- head rolls that do not come with the car seat are not recommended for use as they may interfere with harness function
Forward-Facing Seats
Click here to see when a forward-facing seat is outgrown.
- use top harness slots only on some seats (exceptions: any combination seat or forward-facing only seat)
- use harness slots at or above child's shoulders
- shoulder straps fit snugly--can only fit 1 finger between harness and shoulder or use pinch test
- hip straps fit either snugly over hips or on top of thighs, depending on seat
- chest clip is fastened at armpit level
- use top harness slots only on some seats
- use harness slots at or above child's shoulders
- shoulder straps fit snugly--can only fit 1 finger between harness and shoulder or use pinch test
- if shield is adjustable, it is in closest position to child's body
- chest clip is fastened at armpit level
- use top harness slots only
- use harness slots at or above child's shoulders
- shoulder straps fit snugly--can only fit 1 finger between harness and shoulder or use pinch test
- chest clip is fastened at armpit level
Booster Seats
Click here to see when a booster seat is outgrown.
- used only with lap/shoulder belt
- tips of ears are below top of vehicle seat back or head restraint
- lap belt rides low on hips and is threaded under the arms of the booster
- shoulder belt is positioned across shoulder and chest, using the built-in positioner if needed
- seat belt is snug against child
- used only with lap/shoulder belt
- tips of ears are below top of booster seat back
- lap belt rides low on hips and is threaded through lap belt cutout or under the arms of the booster (if applicable)
- shoulder belt is positioned across shoulder and chest, using the built-in positioner if needed
- seat belt is snug against child
Pinch Test
If you can pinch a fold in the harness, it is too loose. The following picture shows a harness that is too loose:
Coats in Car Seats
The following pictures show the dangers of dressing a child in a thick coat in a car seat. A thick coat doesn't allow the harness to be snug against a child's body. In a crash, the coat will compress and leave slack in the harness. This slack could be enough for the child to be ejected from the car seat.
In this picture, the harness is secured snugly on the child
over the coat.
This picture shows the harness unadjusted after the coat has been removed from the child. Notice how much slack is in the harness.
Picture taken from another angle. Again, the harness has been unadjusted after the coat has been removed. The harness shows inches of slack. A properly tightened harness is snug against a child's body, lying in a straight line without sagging. You should not be able to take a pinch near the shoulders.
How do you keep a child warm in a car seat?
If the child is in an infant seat, use a shower cap-style cover that doesn't put anything under the child. Dress the baby in layers and after the baby is strapped snugly in the car seat, layer blankets on top. Once the child is in a convertible seat or booster seat, dress the child in polar fleece. It's very warm and thin. You can also buckle the child in first, then put the coat on backward. Keep plenty of blankets in the vehicle for everyone! Another option is a Car Seat Poncho. It's made of a thick polar fleece or velvet and comes in kid-friendly colors.