Test Your Car Seat Safety IQ

You carry all kinds of things in your car: picnic baskets, soccer balls, dogs and, of course, the most precious cargo of all: children. Ensuring their protection — especially in the case of an accident — is vital. And that means knowing how to install a car seat and practicing car seat safety.

When you’re thinking about children’s safety first, car seats are top of the list. Knowing what’s true and what’s not about car seat safety will help you make the right choices. 

Test Your Knowledge on Car Seat Safety

Ready to test your knowledge? Take our car seat safety quiz to find out how much you know about the smartest ways to use a car seat, and how to keep your kids safe in the car. And to make sure your car and family are covered in case of an accident, talk to Farm Bureau.

1. True or false: At 2 years old, a child is officially ready for a forward-facing car seat.
2. True or false: An infant seat should recline at a 45-degree angle.
3. True or false: A child is ready to transition from a booster seat to an adult seatbelt as soon as their knees bend at the front of the seat cushion and their back and bottom are against the back of the seat.
4. True or false: If you can move the car seat two inches from side to side after installation, it is properly installed.
5. True or false: LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children.
6. True or false: All rear-facing car seats, forward-facing car seats and booster seats use basically the same one-size-fits-all approach.
7. True or false: Not all car seats fit in all vehicles.
8. True or false: Carefully reading the car seat instruction manual and portion of your vehicle’s owner’s manual on car seat installation is a critical step in ensuring proper car seat safety.
9. True or false: Children should ride in the back seat until they are 13 years of age.
10. True or false: Harness straps should have a few inches of slack.

Answers to the Car Seat Safety Quiz

1. False. Although age 2 is the average age a child graduates on to a forward-facing car seat, it must also be determined that the child’s height and weight have reached the car seat’s maximum rear-facing threshold.
2. True.
3. True.
4. False. A car seat should not move more than one inch from side to side or front to back after installation.
5. True.
6. False. Height and weight limits for children vary greatly among car seat brands and sizes. When purchasing a car seat, review the specifications closely to ensure the seat you choose is designed to fit your child’s size and age.
7. True. Car seats come in all shapes and sizes. Before purchasing a car seat, install it in your car to ensure you can secure it tightly and also leave room for your child’s legs and your front-seat passengers.
8. True.
9. True.
10. False. Your child’s harness straps should fit snug and tight over his or her shoulders without any slack.

Keep Safe on the Road

You work hard to be a safe driver, and at Farm Bureau, that pays off. Talk to your Farm Bureau agent to learn about discounts on car insurance, like bundling coverage with Farm Bureau Member’s Choice and our Driveology program.