How should a child be positioned in a car seat for optimal safety?

For optimal safety in a car seat, a child should be positioned with the harness fitting snugly at the shoulders. This ensures that the straps provide maximum restraint and prevent excessive movement in the event of sudden stops or collisions. A snug fit means that there is little to no slack in the harness, which helps to keep the child securely in place. The harness should rest across the child's shoulders and chest without being twisted or contorted, allowing for both safety and comfort.

In addition, proper positioning with the harness snugly at the shoulders plays a crucial role in dispersing crash forces across the strongest parts of the body. This helps minimize the risk of injury that could occur if the child were to move out of the safety zone provided by the car seat. Keeping the child securely buckled in this manner is fundamental to effective child passenger safety.