Safety is a priority with parents, and this is reflected in the amount of time and money they are willing to spend on a car seat for their child. 5 percent of the child safety seats inspected. As the study suggests, many parents actually put the child in danger by not using the restraint properly. Typically, the biggest mistakes were loose harness straps and safety belt attachments. The NHTSA classifies these as ‘critical’ errors, because of the potential risk they could cause the child.

So how do you know make sure of keeping your newborn safe?

Keep in mind three things as you pick out a car safety seat: your child’s age, weight, and the position of the seat. Newborn car seats are the ones that allow a baby that is less than a year and under twenty pounds to ride in a rearward-facing position. Because of the way they are designed, the small, portable, snug seat is ideal for a newborn. The infant-only car seats should also always be placed in the back seat of the car, in the rear-facing position.

Many parents do not see the purpose of an infant-only seat, choosing instead to go with a more flexible convertible seat. These types of safety car seats will not be tiny – if they were, they could not support the child as it grew. Place children in a rear-facing position in the convertible seat if they weigh less than 20 pounds or under one year of age. You can go ahead and place any child that is 20-40 pounds in a front-facing position. The most important part of car safety dictates that you simply use the seat in the manner it was intended. Read the seat’s instructions and your vehicle owner’s guide.

Far more important than the style of seat is that the parent use it exactly as it was designed to be used. Read the seat’s instructions and your vehicle owner’s guide. There are two sets of buckles to worry about: those that put the baby into place, and those that do the same for the car seat. The slot position and a firm fit are important for the harness straps in particular. Always put the convertible car seat harness straps into slots above the baby’s shoulders, and aim below for the infant seats. Check to make sure that the harness clip is at armpit level and that the straps are not twisted; check the owner’s manual to optimize the placement.

It helps seat belt placement to recline the seat 45 degrees; always double check that your seat belt is in the right path for the position of the seat. Another tip is to include a rolled up towel that you can place under the seat. Tighten the seat belt, as needed, to ensure the restraint is secured to your vehicle. Every car that has a LATCH system has special requirements, and those mean that the parent should read their owner guides, to both their car and their car seat, to make sure their seat is installed correctly. If you purchase a seat that is not new, make sure you check it’s age and condition.

When buying a used seat, be sure to get one that has all its instructions and is less than five years old. Along with the owner’s manual, your seat should have all its parts, and should have never been involved in any type of car accident.