If your baby's car seat is strapped in with a lap/shoulder seatbelt that is one continuous loop (makes a triangle when clipped into the belt lock), you need to always use an additional metal locking clip to help hold the seat in place. Without this 2 by 3-inch metal "clip" locking the car's seatbelt tightly in position, the lap portion of the seatbelt could loosen, and in an accident, your child – still in the car seat – could be severly injured. Fortunately, a locking clip is inexpensive and easy to use.

Although the locking clip's assistance in gripping the seatbelt is important when restraining a car seat, it should never be used for a normally seated passenger.

If you cannot find your locking clip or your seat was provided without one, ask first if they are sold at the store where you bought your car seat. Otherwise, they are available for purchase by mail from most car seat manufacturers and some automotive parts dealers for about $3 each. Be sure not to confuse the metal locking clips with the convenience clips that are used to hold the shoulder portion of the seatbelt away from a shorter passenger's face and neck, as those will offer no protection in an accident.

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