For those who install carseat with a seatbelt

this week, during regular conversations with friends I realized that 2 of them had their rear facing car seats installed incorrectly- so I just wanted to make you aware that if u r using a seatbeLt with a SHOULDER harness to secure the carseat, u need to use that little metal clip that comes with the seat to secure the shoulder part to the lap restraint. if u do not do this, the carseat is NOT secure and even without an accident, the seats can tip (as they did with 1 friend)
drive safely!
Smile

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Posted: Mon, Feb 09 2009, 2:13 am Post subject:

Huh? What metal clip are you talking about? My rear facing seat has pretty clear instructions about how to install it, does not come with a clip, and it is clear that the straps do NOT get joined!
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Platinum Member Joined: May 22 2005 Posts: 13796

It depends on the seat and the car.

Posted: Mon, Feb 09 2009, 3:01 am Post subject:

Marion, if the seatbelts don't lock there is a metal "H" clip you work onto the seatbelt so the belt won't be loose. The red clip that comes on the Israeli seat is the same idea and much easier to use.
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Posted: Mon, Feb 09 2009, 6:19 am Post subject:

On a related note, I once got a ride with an acquaintance who had placed her rear-facing infant seat backwards (ie the baby was facing forwards!) I was also travelling with a baby in an infant seat, and after I strapped the seat in, my friend asked me why I had put the baby backwards when he wouldn't be able to see out Shocked

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Posted: Mon, Feb 09 2009, 10:33 am Post subject:

'fraid so. I couldn't quite believe it either.

Moderator Joined: Mar 29 2005 Posts: 18384

The locking clip is not always necessary. Depending on the seat belt, it might auto restrain -- and in those cases it is not necessary. There have been times we needed a locking clip, and times we did not.
I do think many carseats are not installed properly, but I don't think one can assume all seats need a locking clip.

How to figure out if you need one:
http://www.carseatsite.com/lockingclips.htm
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Posted: Mon, Feb 09 2009, 10:50 am Post subject:

the clips usually come with the car seat ... also some cities have free installations at local fire departments ... in insecure baby is an accident waiting to happen ...

thank-you imokay for bringing this to our attention ...
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Diamond Member Joined: Jan 19 2006 Posts: 4450

Actually, you do not need the locking clip in all cars, it depends if the belts have a locking mechanism in them, which most cars under 5 years old do have. Even if you do not have a LATCH system, you don't always need a locking clip.

ok. I'll ammend my statement. if u dont use a locking click, and u r using a seatbelt with a shoulder restraint and your carseat does not seem secure bc the seatbelt is still able to move, THEN perhaps u might be in need of the h clip that shud come with the carseat.
better?