Paris Hilton Sparks Debate on Car Seat Safety, After Posting Video of Children’s Set-Up

Paris Hilton arrives for the Hollywood Reporter's Women in Entertainment Gala in Los Angeles, Calif, on Dec. 7, 2022. (Michael Tran/AFP via Getty Images)

Paris Hilton is taking the internet by storm after sparking safety concerns surrounding her children’s car seat set-up.

Fans were quick to call out the socialite in a now-deleted TikTok video, showing one-year-old son Phoenix and six-month-old daughter London facing the wrong direction in her “new mom van.”

The 43-year-old posted the footage en route to a Mother’s Day brunch when users flooded the comments with concerns about how the car seats were installed, using both the latch and seat belt simultaneously.

Despite the vehicle being parked at the time of the video, Ms. Hilton was also called out for both the infant and toddler facing the front rather than the recommended rear-facing direction.

“Please hire someone to install car seats,” one social media user commented, while another recommended she refer to the seat manual and California law for proper installation and safety techniques.

Following the backlash, Ms. Hilton re-uploaded a new video, expressing her gratitude for the advice from other moms on the platform.

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“Thanks for the mom advice, I’m new to this…The #CutesieCrew is now ready for take off in the #SlivingMom van,” she said.

The whole ordeal drew conversation and awareness of vehicle safety in children, with some fans commending Ms. Hilton for how she handled the situation. When one user noted how she did not get offended so easily, Ms. Hilton hinted at the fact that no one is perfect.

“No, I’m not taking offense. I am a new mom and just learning as I go. So I appreciate advice when it is kind, as I’m just trying to be the best mom I can be.”

Ms. Hilton and her husband, Carter Reum, welcomed their son via surrogate in January of last year, with her daughter arriving via surrogate shortly after in November.

Car Seat Safety

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) offers a set of guidelines for finding the right car or booster seat, proper installation, and keeping your child safe.

With many car seats on the market, it is recommended to choose one based on your child’s age and size. Each manufacturer comes with instructions that check height and weight limits.

According to the NHTSA, over 300 children under the age of five years old are saved by their car seats in accidents every year, while nearly 40 percent were killed who were unrestrained. Car crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages one to 13 years old.

California Highway Patrol notes that children under the age of two should be rear-facing, unless the child weighs 40 or more pounds, or is 40 or more inches tall. Children under eight years of age must be secured in a car seat or booster seat in the back seat.

Installation methods vary from car seat to vehicle, this including the latch method. If you are still unsure or need help installing or using one, the NHTSA offers assistance in car seat inspection. Certified technicians will inspect your car seat free of charge, in most cases, and show you how to correctly install and use it.