Car Seat Safety

Family Car Purchase Checklist

Take this checklist with if you are shopping for a new vehicle:

• Are there enough safety belts for everyone?
• Can the vehicle's lap/shoulder belt system accommodate children who have outgrown safety seats and booster seats?
• Is there enough room -- preferably in the back seat -- to install a child safety seat correctly?
• Will the vehicle's seat design interfere with safety seat installation? (Check slope, humps, contours, splits and safety belt anchorages.)
• Do safety belts have locking features (locking or switchable retractor) for safety seats?
• Are tether anchorages available? (Some vehicle manufacturers can provide retrofit anchorage kits.)
• Are adjustable upper belts available?
• Are built-in child restraint systems available?

Other Important Safety Features:

• Head restraint protection for rear seats.
• Safety door locks so children cannot open doors from inside vehicle.
• Override window controls.