Just like you get the oil changed in your car every three months, you should do regular check-ups on your kids’ booster seats and car seats. No, I don’t mean that you have to take the booster seat to a service station and get it inspected. It just pays to follow up on new safety issues and recall lists that might be associated with the brand and type of booster seat you use.

Although using the SeatSnug is a great way to ensure that any brand of booster seat fits more securely, it can’t make up for structurally damaged safety restraints. Experts recommend taking the following car safety steps to ensure your booster seat maintenance remains up-to-date.

• Check the car seat recall lists. You can do it online at the National Highway Travel Safety Administration (NHTSA) site or at Seat Check. By phone, you can contact the NHTSA at 1-800-424-9393 or the Seat Check organization at 1-866-SEATCHECK.

• Make sure the booster seat or car seat you are using is compatible with any new or alternate vehicle you place it in. You can contact individual manufacturers, as needed. A current list of numbers can be found at Safety Belt USA. You can check for compatibility before you purchase a car seat or booster seat, as well, at Car Seat Data or by calling the manufacturers.

• Be sure and fill out the product information card that comes with your booster seat. By going into the company’s database, you can be contacted immediately if the product is recalled or deemed unsafe. You can usually opt out of receiving junk mail from the company on the card, so you don’t have to worry about your information being sold to third party vendors.

• Don’t buy used car seats or booster seats. In addition to invisible structural damages that might compromise the efficacy of the device, the product may be recalled or otherwise discontinued for safety reasons you aren’t aware of.

Although it might seem like a nuisance, car seat awareness and booster seat safety are just a few small steps in the process of being a responsible parent. By taking a few minutes three or four times a year to check on the status of your safety devices, you can rest easy that you are doing your part to keep your kids safe on the road.