81% of car seats are installed incorrectly: what all parents should know
We talk a lot about car seats, but not enough about… how they're installed. According to data shared by Sandrine, a child passenger safety technician (CPT) and guest on the podcast La Maison des Parents, 81% of car seats are incorrectly installed or used . Yes, 8 out of 10 seats. 😱
And yet, for most parents, it's all about doing things " by the book ," like they saw at the hospital… or like they can in the parking lot on the day of discharge from the maternity ward. This article summarizes the key points of this episode to help you make more informed choices without feeling guilty, but by giving you concrete and actionable information.
What is TSEP and why consult a doctor?
A TSEP (Child Passenger Safety Technician) is a professional trained over several days (theory + practice) to:
- understand the different types of car seats;
- know the vehicle compatibility;
- install the seats according to the manufacturers' recommendations;
- check the harness fit and the child's position;
- I'll explain to you how to redo the installation on your own, without panicking.
In a session lasting about an hour, you literally become the expert on YOUR car and YOUR car seat. Many TSEPs operate with a fixed fee (around $40) or a voluntary contribution, because their primary goal is child safety, not selling you something.
💡 Good parenting tip: meet with a healthcare professional around 34–35 weeks of pregnancy to install the car seat base and practice with a demonstration doll before the birth. This way, you avoid the stressful installation in the snow, in the hospital parking lot, with a crying baby.
The 3 main conditions for a safe seat
A safe car seat isn't just about having a good model:
- The seat is properly installed in the vehicle.
- The harness fits the child well.
- The child respects the limits of the seat (weight, height, headroom).
If any of these elements are not respected, the seat may not function properly in the event of a collision. This is why a seat can be " correctly installed " but still be considered improperly used if the harness is too loose or too high on the shoulders.
Sandrine highlights a key point: in an impact at approximately 50 km/h, a child's body can absorb up to 30 times its own weight. That's enormous. Every little detail (angle, harness tension, head position, etc.) can therefore make a big difference.
Using a winter coat in a car seat: why is it dangerous?
The famous phrase, " In winter, we're not going to put him in without a coat... " comes up often. However, thick coats and puffy snowsuits are definitely not recommended in a car seat.
For what ?
- The coat creates an artificial thickness between the harness and the child's body.
- In the event of a collision, this thickness compresses and the harness, which seemed tight, suddenly becomes too loose.
- The child then risks slipping or being partially ejected from the seat.
🧊 A safe solution for winter:
- Dress the child in thin, warm layers (pajamas, woolens, slippers).
- Place the child in the harness without a coat.
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Next, add a blanket or a “3-season cover” that goes over the harness (and not between the child’s back and the seat).
For infant car seats, covers that attach around the seat like a stroller canopy are preferable to those that go under the baby's back. And in the car, you can open or remove the cover to prevent the baby from overheating.
Rear-facing seats: until when?
One of the big questions parents ask is: at what age can a child be turned to face forward?
The minimum age in Canada is still very low (around 1 year and 10 kg), but experts like Sandrine are clear:
- Do not rotate before age 3.
- And ideally, keep the child rear-facing for as long as possible, up to the maximum limits of the seat (weight and size).
For what ?
Because when facing away from the road:
- The seat shell absorbs most of the impact;
- The child's neck and spine are much better protected;
- The head does not violently jerk forward as it does when facing forward.
Bent legs are not a danger: in a collision, they lift up like " spaghetti ", whereas facing the road, there are more possible leg fractures.
👉 If your child reaches a limit (weight, height or more space between the head and the top of the seat) before 3 years old, it is often safer to switch to a seat with better rear-facing limits rather than turning it too early.
Used car seats, cleaning, and common mistakes
As a parent, you often want to save money, and that's normal. But when it comes to used car seats, Sandrine advises caution:
- impossible to know if the seat was involved in an accident (even a minor one);
- Sometimes he spent nights outside, in the rain or in the cold;
- It has been washed with a water jet or in a dishwasher, which can damage the structure and internal components.
🧽 How to properly clean a car seat?
- Machine wash the covers (delicate cycle, cold water, mild soap), then air dry them (do not tumble dry because of the fire-retardant layer).
- For the shell and plastic parts, use a damp cloth with a drop of dish soap, without soaking them.
- For harnesses, the same applies: damp cloth + a little soap, no soaking or harsh products.
Detailed cleaning instructions are always found in the seat manual. This manual is your best ally with your TSEP.
Taxi, bus, plane and international travel
Another major source of stress: travelling without your own car.
By taxi:
- The law sometimes allows taking a taxi without a car seat, but this law was designed for emergency situations (e.g., a woman who needs to leave a dangerous situation).
- In the event of a collision, the forces are the same as in a private car. Holding a child in your arms is not enough: no one can restrain a baby who suddenly weighs the equivalent of 200–300 lbs in their arms.
By bus or shuttle:
- Buses are heavy and the forces are distributed differently; they are often safer than a taxi without seats;
- For parents without a car, this is often a preferable solution when possible.
By plane:
- Yes, it is possible to install certain car seats on the plane, provided they are approved and the child has a paid seat.
- The child is often more comfortable and sleeps better in their own seat than directly on the airplane seat.
- For the trip, Sandrine advises against using the only seat you use daily, in case it gets damaged by the handling of luggage.
Abroad :
- Standards are not the same from one country to another (Canada, Europe, United States).
- Sometimes the best option is to buy or rent a seat directly on site, according to the advice of local experts.
When to consult a specialist in MS (and how Bébé Solutions can help you)
In summary, a single encounter with a TSEP can:
- correcting mistakes you didn't even know you were making;
- show you how to adjust the harness at each stage of growth;
- check that your car seat is suitable for your child and your car;
- to give you concrete solutions for winter, travel and everyday life.
To find a TSEP near you, there is an online directory map that lists technicians trained in Canada.
At Bébé Solutions , we:
- works with TSEPs like Sandrine to ensure that the seats offered for rent are suitable and safe ;
- accompanies families travelling in Quebec (tourists, expats, grandparents…) with equipment that meets Canadian standards ;
- simplifies logistics : no need to buy, transport and install all the equipment yourself, you can rent what you need in the right place.
The key message for parents
If you only have time to remember one thing from this episode:
👉 Don't stay alone with your doubts.
You're not supposed to " naturally know " how to install a car seat. It's complex, technical, and things change quickly. A car seat installer is there to guide you without judgment , explain things to you, make adjustments with you, and help you regain confidence .
And if you are planning a trip to Quebec with your little one, or if you want to lighten your mental load by renting your equipment rather than buying it, Bébé Solutions is there to accompany you step by step.
🎧 To go further
This article is inspired by an episode of the podcast La Maison des Parents . To delve deeper into the topic and hear the expert's advice, access the full episode .