We have a four year old son, and it is a law to use a car safety seat while driving with a child in the car.
Shopping for a child safety seat and which to buy
Car seats designed and divided into types or groups to use for children depending on child’s weight and height. Age is a secondary factor when choosing a proper car seat because kids are all different. Some children are light and small compare to their peers while others are bigger and heavier at the same age. Rear facing car seats are normally used for babies. Convertible safety seats could be installed in rear facing position for small children, and forward-facing position for toddlers. Boosters car seats typically used for toddlers and some safety seats could support children up to 110 pounds. Bigger children could sit on a booster with no seat back and use a car seat belts.
Installing a child safety seat in the car
Most of SUVs, minivans, and sedans now use a LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system to secure safety seats in the car. It means the vehicle has all necessary anchors to connect the straps from a child car seat without using seatbelts. Our 2016 Toyota Camry has three anchors to hook top tether straps, and four anchors in between rear seat cushion and seat back to hook lower anchor straps. In our 5-passenger sedan, it is possible to install a single car seat in the middle or two car seats on the sides – one behind passenger and one behind driver’s seat.
Three car seats installation on the rear seat
2016 Toyota Camry LE is not deigned to install three car seats at a time using LATCH. Theoretically you can place three convertible car seats if one in the middle will be fastened to lower seat belt buckle latches in the middle of rear car seat. Otherwise it is not safe to hook two strips from different child seats to a single anchor. The other thing is inside width from the left to the right rear door is less than 57 inches, so overall width of three child seats should be even less otherwise they won’t fit.
As we have one toddler, the car seat was installed in the middle or safest position possible. All you need to do is use LATCH anchors and secure the seat in the position with child safety seat straps which have hooks. Make sure straps are not twisted and you tighten it well.
You can check car seat installation and safety instruction as well as car owner’s manual for recommendations on how to install a car seat correctly. As I already installed a child safety seat in the car we had before, it is necessary to check and tight the straps in the very first days. Later they normally hold the seat tight and do not become loose, but for safety it is better to inspect the car seat periodically and tighten straps if necessary.
And the law
In United States by regulation of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration LATCH system could be used if gross weight of car seat with a child in is less than 65 pounds. Otherwise you should use rear passengers seat belts to secure car seat it the place.
How to install car seat for a child in 2016 Toyota Camry