The basic installation steps for a Safety First infant car seat

Safety First infant car seats install using either the vehicle's seat belt or the LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children). The seat belt method works in any vehicle; LATCH is faster if your car has the anchors, which most vehicles made after 2002 do. Both methods find the car seat to the vehicle so it does not move more than one inch side to side or front to back when you push on it at the belt line.

Before you start, read the manual that came with your specific Safety First model — the exact steps vary between the infant seat, the convertible seat, and the booster models. The manual is the authoritative guide for your seat; this article covers the general process so you know what to expect.

Key Takeaways

  • Safety First infant seats install with either the vehicle seat belt or LATCH anchors, and the seat must not move more than one inch in any direction when you push on it firmly.
  • The recline angle matters: most infant seats need a recline between 30 and 45 degrees, and Safety First seats include a recline indicator on the side to show you the correct angle.
  • LATCH anchors are located between the seat cushions in the back seat; if you use LATCH, you do not use the seat belt through the seat, and vice versa — never use both at once.
  • The chest clip should sit at armpit height, not at the neck or stomach, and should be snug enough that you cannot pinch the webbing between your fingers.
  • After installation, test the seat by gripping it at the belt line and pushing hard — if it moves more than an inch, loosen the straps and reinstall.

Installing with the vehicle seat belt

Thread the seat belt through the belt path on your Safety First car seat. The belt path is the slot or channel on the side or bottom of the seat where the belt is meant to go — your manual shows exactly which path to use for your model. Pull the seat belt all the way through and buckle it in the vehicle's buckle.

Pull the seat belt tight. Most Safety First infant seats have a strap or handle on the bottom that you can grip while you pull the belt snug. The goal is to remove all slack so the seat does not rock or shift. Once the belt is tight, you cannot pull it any tighter by hand — the belt is locked.

Adjust the recline angle using the recline indicator on the side of the seat. Safety First infant seats have a small window or line that shows whether the seat is at the correct angle. The angle should fall between the marked lines on the indicator. If the seat is too upright, loosen the seat belt slightly, adjust the seat's angle, and tighten the belt again.

Installing with LATCH anchors

Locate the LATCH anchors in your vehicle. They are metal loops attached to the frame between the seat cushions in the back seat. Most vehicles have two or three sets of anchors. Check your vehicle's manual to confirm which seats have anchors — not all back-seat positions have them.

Attach the LATCH connectors on your Safety First car seat to the vehicle anchors. The connectors are usually hooks or clips on the sides of the seat base. Push or snap them onto the anchors until you hear or feel them click into place. Do not use the seat belt when you use LATCH — use one method or the other, never both.

Tighten the LATCH straps by pulling on the adjustment strap or handle. Pull until the seat is snug against the vehicle seat and does not move. Some Safety First models have a tightening strap that you pull to remove slack; others have a ratchet mechanism. Your manual will show which one your model has.

Adjust the recline angle the same way as with the seat belt method, using the recline indicator on the side of the seat.

Setting the harness and chest clip

Thread the harness straps through the correct slot on the seat. For a rear-facing infant car seat, the straps should come out of the seat at or below the level of the baby's shoulders. If your Safety First seat has multiple harness slots, use the one closest to or just below shoulder height. Do not use a slot that is above the shoulders.

Adjust the harness so it is snug but not tight. You should be able to fit one finger between the harness and your baby's collarbone. If you can fit more than one finger, the harness is too loose. If you cannot fit a finger, it is too tight and you need to loosen it.

Position the chest clip at armpit height, not at the neck and not at the stomach. The chest clip holds the two shoulder straps together and keeps them from sliding off the baby's shoulders. If the clip is too high, it can press on the neck; if it is too low, the straps can slip off. The clip should be snug enough that you cannot pinch the webbing between your fingers.

Testing the installation

Grip the car seat at the belt line — the widest part where the seat belt or LATCH straps pass through — and push and pull firmly in all directions. The seat should not move more than one inch side to side or front to back. If it moves more than an inch, the installation is not tight enough.

If the seat moves too much, loosen the seat belt or LATCH straps, remove any slack, and tighten again. Repeat the push test. It often takes two or three tries to get the seat tight enough, especially with the seat belt method.

Check the recline angle one more time. The seat should be reclined enough that the baby's head does not fall forward, but not so reclined that the baby is nearly flat. The recline indicator on your Safety First seat shows the correct range.

Common installation mistakes

Using the seat belt and LATCH at the same time is the most common error. The two methods are not meant to work together. If you use LATCH, do not thread the seat belt through the seat. If you use the seat belt, do not attach the LATCH connectors. Using both actually makes the installation less find, not more find.

Threading the seat belt through the wrong path is another frequent mistake. Safety First seats have a specific belt path for rear-facing installation and a different one for forward-facing installation. Using the wrong path means the belt does not hold the seat securely. Check your manual for the correct path for your model and the direction your baby is facing.

Leaving the seat belt or LATCH straps too loose is also common. Many people think the seat is installed correctly when it stops moving, but a proper installation means the seat barely moves at all. Push hard on the seat at the belt line — if it shifts more than an inch, tighten the straps more.

When to call the manufacturer or a technician

If your Safety First car seat does not fit in your vehicle or the LATCH anchors are not in the right position, contact Safety First customer service. They can tell you whether your specific model works in your vehicle and may be able to suggest adjustments.

If you have installed the seat multiple times and it still moves more than an inch, or if you are unsure whether you have done it correctly, a certified child passenger safety technician can inspect the installation for free or low cost. Many hospitals, fire departments, and police departments offer this service. You can find a technician through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install a Safety First infant car seat in the front seat?

Rear-facing infant car seats should be installed in the back seat, not the front. If your vehicle has an airbag in the front passenger seat, an infant car seat in the front seat can be dangerous if the airbag deploys. Most Safety First infant seats are designed for rear-facing installation in the back seat only.

What if my vehicle does not have LATCH anchors?

You can install the car seat using the seat belt instead. LATCH is convenient but not required. The seat belt method is just as safe when installed correctly and works in any vehicle, including older cars that do not have LATCH anchors.

How do I know if the recline angle is correct?

Your Safety First car seat has a recline indicator — a small window or line on the side of the seat that shows the correct angle range. Adjust the seat until the indicator falls within the marked lines. The correct angle keeps the baby's head from falling forward while allowing the baby to breathe easily.

Do I need to reinstall the car seat when I move it to a different vehicle?

Yes. Each vehicle's seat belt path and LATCH anchor positions are different. If you move the car seat to a different vehicle, you need to reinstall it using that vehicle's seat belt or anchors. Do not assume the installation from one vehicle will work in another.

What should I do if the car seat was in an accident?

Check your Safety First manual for the manufacturer's guidance on accident damage. Many manufacturers recommend replacing the seat after a moderate or severe crash, even if the seat looks undamaged. Contact Safety First customer service with details of the accident to find out whether your seat needs to be replaced.