Car
Seat Safety for Kids brochure
Here are some questions to ask yourself about the safety of your
child when it comes to riding in a vehicle:
Does your child ride in the back seat?
The
back seat is considered the safest place in a crash. If your vehicle
has a passenger air bag, it is crucial for children 12 and under
to ride in back.
Does your child ride facing the correct way?
Infants
should ride in rear facing restraints (in the back seat) until
age 1 and at least 20-22 lbs. Infants who weigh 20 lbs. before
1 year of age should ride in a restraint approved for higher rear
facing weight limits. Always read your child restraint manual for
instructions on properly using the restraint.
Children must be at least over one year of age and weigh
at least 20 pounds to ride forward facing.
Does the safety belt hold the seat tightly in place?
Make
sure the belt is used in the correct slots. If your safety seat
can be used facing either way, use the correct belt path for each
direction. Check the vehicle owner's manual and safety seat instruction
book for instructions.
Is the harness buckled snugly around your child?
Keep
harness straps snug over the child's shoulders. Place the chest
clip at armpit level.
Does your child who weighs over 40 pounds have the best
protection possible?
Keep your child in a safety seat
with a full harness to the upper weight limits of the seat. Then
use a belt-positioning booster seat which helps the vehicle lap
and shoulder belt fit better. A belt-positioning booster seat is
preferred for children between 40-80 pounds. It must be used with
the vehicle lap and shoulder belt.
How should a safety belt fit an older child?
The
child should be tall enough to sit without slouching, with knees
bent at the edge of the seat, with feet on the floor. The lap belt
must fit low and tight across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt
should rest over the shoulder and across the chest. Never put
the shoulder belt under the arm or behind the child's back. The
vehicle lap and shoulder belt system alone will not fit most children
until they are at least 4'9" tall and weigh about 85 pounds.
Last modified on
10/31/2007 11:23:39
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