Can carseats touch each other?

[Unregistered]

I have a Ford Explorer 2002 XLT. The seats in the backseat are rather narrow and if I place one child in the middle seat and one on a side, the carseats touch. Are the risks associated with these two seats hitting each other in an accident higher or lower than the risks of putting each child by a door and leaving the center seat empty?

I was told seats shouldn't touch because the impact of them hitting each other was really dangerous. False? Thanks!!

[papooses]

That is false....

However, you must always thoroughly read & re-read both the vehicle & carseat manuals: my 1999 Chevy Blazer, for example, did not allow any carseat installed in the middle :(

The issue with carseats touching is that they might only seem to be secure when in fact they are not -- they must be independently secure (less than 1" movement in any direction at the belt path)!

What I do with 3 across situations is to install them all (middle 1st), then take the middle out to see if the 2 on the sides are still secure ... if so then I put the middle one back in. If not, then it's time to try rearranging the seats or even go to Babies-R-Us & play around with other carseat options to find just the right ones to puzzle together for your children & vehicle :o

Also, make sure to get your install checked > www.seatcheck.org :) What vehicle year, make model? What are the kids' ages, weights & heights? What carseats do you currently have?

[Unregistered]

thanks. did your owner's manual say "no car seat in the middle"? if all seats have belts, what would the problem be? my owner's mabual does not address the topic.

[skaterbabscpst]

some vehicles have very, very narrow center seats that do not allow for secure installations.