Despite the many innovations in the automobile industry, seat belts stand above them all when it comes to keeping passengers safe. They changed car safety for the better and led to drastic reductions in the risk of death for front passengers. In fact, front passengers who used seat belts have a 45% lower risk of dying or sustaining serious injuries than those who did not use seat belts. Considering that seat belts are crucial for your safety, it is important to make sure that they’re always in good working condition. To help you make sure your seat belts are always in good condition, here are four safety checks that you should perform on them.
1. Webbing
The first thing you will want to examine is the webbing of your seat belt. Be sure to be on the lookout for nicks and cuts, because these can lead to your seat belt tearing when an accident occurs. If the seatbelt webbing is damaged, bring it in to get replaced as soon as possible.
2. Buckle
It can also be helpful to take your time when you examine the seatbelt buckle. The buckle, which fastens your seatbelt and secures it, may have a very subtle defect. For example, it might not be locking your seatbelt in place. If this is the case, and you notice it right away, then you can have a professional check on it immediately.
3. Retraction
The seatbelt may not retract properly and may become stuck in the event of an accident. This could mean trouble for you; if your seatbelt cannot retract, it may not be able to save your life in the event of an accident. To check your seatbelt’s ability to retract, watch it retract smoothly while making sure that it doesn’t get stuck on the way. If your seatbelt cannot be retracted, don’t try to fix it yourself; bring your car to a seat belt repair service so they can address the issue and get your seatbelt working correctly.
4. Twisting
Last, check to make sure the seat belt is not twisted. A twisted seat belt prevents it from protecting you properly and can even twist into a knot and harm you. Thankfully, untwisting it is as simple as flipping it over a few times until the twists disappear. Avoid being rough with the seat belt when removing the twists. Try to be gentle when untwisting it because you may otherwise damage it and introduce more serious issues.
Conclusion
We hope that this information proves to be useful when it comes to helping you check on your seat belts. We urge you to regularly review the things we mentioned here regularly so that you don’t miss anything. While it may seem rather tedious, your safety should be your top priority. It’s in your best interest to do everything you can to make sure that your car is as safe as possible. If you notice a faulty seat belt, consider seeking out seat belt repair services or seek information on how to replace it.
If you find something wrong with your seat belts, you can always count on the professionals at Seat Belt Restore will be able to help you. Get the seat belt replacement or repair you need by visiting us today!