Jeffrey Lupient: How to Secure a Child in the Car Seat

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Jeffrey Lupient: Putting Your Child in the Car Seat Securely

Every precaution must be taken when it comes to our children's safety. One of the most important precautions is ensuring your child's car seat is installed correctly and securely. As Jeffrey Lupient advises, taking the time to check that the restraint system is tight and the ISOFIX system is properly anchored can make all the difference in the event of an accident. But even if your seat doesn't have an ISOFIX system, it's important to follow the manufacturer's instructions and ensure the belt is securely passed through each slot. Your child's safety is paramount, so take the time to double-check that everything is in order before hitting the road.

Securing the seat itself

After that, check that the Top Tether or Support Leg is correctly positioned. The top tether has to be correctly tensioned. The support leg must be in contact with the car's floor. The seat should be correctly reclined. 

The most common mistake here, according to Jeff Lupient, is failing to tighten the harness enough. 

Putting the child in the car seat

Place the child in the chair. Pass their arms through the respective harnesses. Jeffrey Lupient notes that the two upper straps should lie across the shoulders, while the two lower straps should be across the hips. They should not be twisted.

Next, fasten the middle buckle. Adapt the height of the harness based on the child's height. As the child grows, the harness should be adjusted as well. The upper straps should be at shoulder level or below if the child seat is rear-facing. It should be at shoulder level or slightly above if the seat is forward-facing. 

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When all possible adjustable positions have been used, Jeffrey Lupient says it is time to get a larger one. 

When you adjust the harness, make it tight. The tighter, the better. You can check that it has been adjusted properly if two fingers fit between the harness and the child's body. Also, the belt may be too loose if you can "pinch" the strap. It is dangerous. The harness has to be as tight as possible without being uncomfortable for the child.

These recommendations are for both rear- and forward-facing seats.

A few notes for booster seats and backrests

Boosters with backrests are safer, according to Jeffrey Lupient, since they offer greater protection for side impacts and the child's head. The backrest has slots that the straps must go through, avoiding mistakes when securing the child. The diagonal belt strap should lie on the collarbone, over the shoulder, and near the chest. The lower strap has to be on the child's hips or upper thighs. In addition, Jeffrey Lupient mentions that the backrest helps maintain the child's position when they fall asleep.

Lastly, children should never travel with unbuckled, twisted, or incorrectly fitted harnesses or seat belts.

Subscribe to this Jeffrey Lupient page for more articles on car seat safety and features. 


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