{"id":523,"date":"2022-11-24T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-24T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carseatparent.com\/?p=523"},"modified":"2023-03-26T20:34:19","modified_gmt":"2023-03-26T20:34:19","slug":"car-seat-pinch-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carseatparent.com\/car-seat-pinch-test\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Do The Car Seat Pinch Test?"},"content":{"rendered":"

A car seat pinch test is a simple but important way to check if you have installed your child’s car seat correctly.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Car seat harness straps should lie flat and snug<\/strong> on your child’s shoulders but not so tight to cause the child any discomfort.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That’s why conducting a car seat pinch test is the best way to insure that the car seat harness straps fit your child properly and that the car seat is also installed correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Do the car seat pinch test Step by Step<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To make sure your child is safe in the car seat, conduct a pinch test following these easy steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Install the car seat properly using the both car seat and the car’s manuals.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Buckle your child into the seat and tighten the harness by pulling the front adjustment strap.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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\"car<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

<\/path><\/svg><\/span>You position the chest clip at your child’s armpit level<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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\"car-seat-pinch-test-step-by-step\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Pinch the webbing on the belt strap located on the child’s shoulder. If you are able to gather any fabric between your fingers, the straps are still loose and need more tightening.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Are the straps still loose? Slightly pull the front adjustment strap and re-do the pinch test.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip:<\/strong> When tightening the straps, make sure you remove any slack on the hips and torso, not just the shoulders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is a detailed video on how to perform the car seat pinch test<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n