Installing a Forward-Facing Child Safety Seat

1. Place the child safety seat in the vehicle facing the front

2. In general, a forward-facing child safety seat is installed in the upright position.  The upright
position allows crash forces to be evenly distributed over a child’s body.  However, some seats
meet testing standards when semi-reclined in a forward-facing position.  You will need to read the
child safety seat instructions for details.

3. Thread the seat belt through the forward-facing seat belt path.  Or, if you are using the LATCH
system, make sure the LATCH strap is threaded through the proper seat belt path.  Do not use
both the vehicle seat belt and the LATCH system at the same time.  Choose the system that gives
the best fit.  Click here to learn more about LATCH.

4. Buckle the seat belt.  Or, if you are using the LATCH system, hook the connectors on the child
safety seat to the corresponding vehicle anchors.

5. Place a hand in the child safety seat to compress the vehicle cushion

6. Pull all the slack out of the lap portion of the seat belt or the LATCH strap

7. Attach the top tether strap to the vehicle top tether anchor

8. If there is still more than one inch movement, your child safety seat may not work in that seating
position or in that particular vehicle.  There may also be a special fix that a trained child passenger
safety technician can help you with.  To find a certified child passenger safety technician or child
safety seat inspection site in Indiana click here.  To find a child safety seat inspection site outside
Indiana click here.