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What age/size is your child?
Learn the proper seat use from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
INFANTS: Infants are children from birth until one year of age AND at least 20 pounds. Ø They MUST ride rear-facing in their safety seats.
Ø The infant’s back should be at a 45 degree angle, to the ground, when in the seat.
Ø NEVER place a Rear-Facing Child Safety Seat in the front seat of a vehicle equipped with passenger airbags.
Types of Infant Seats: Ø Infant Only Seat (Carrier Style) – Has a base that stays in the car and the detachable seat doubles as an infant carrier. In the car, the carrying handle MUST be in the lowest position.
Ø Rear Facing Only – Does not have a detachable base. The seat stays in the car.
Ø Convertible Safety Seat – MUST be installed Rear-Facing. Is designed to be converted to a Forward-Facing seat, after the infant reaches at least 20 pounds AND one year of age. The Shoulder Harness straps MUST pass through the seatback BELOW the infants shoulder level.
TODDLERS: Toddlers are children who are at least one year of age AND 20 lbs up until 4 years of age and over 40 lbs.
Types of Toddler Seats: Ø Front Facing Only – Designed only for Toddlers in a Front-Facing position.
Ø Convertible Safety Seat – MUST be installed Front-Facing. Is designed to be converted from a Forward-Facing seat to a Rear-Facing Seat AFTER the infant reaches at least 20 pounds AND one year of age.
Ø Booster Seat w/5 point Harness System – The seat MUST be used Forward-Facing WITH the 5 point Harness System. It can be changed to a Booster Seat, using a Lap and Shoulder belt, once the Toddler reaches 4 years of age or 40 lbs.
Ø High Back Booster Seat w/ 5 point Harness System – The seat is manufactured with a higher back. It is designed for cars that have a small seat back, for added neck protection. The seat MUST be used Forward-Facing WITH the 5 point Harness System. It can be changed to a Booster Seat, using a Lap and Shoulder belt, once the Toddler reaches 4 years of age or 40 lbs.
YOUNG CHILDREN: Young Children are at least 4 years of age and 40 lbs up until 7 years of age and over 4'9" tall. Types of Seats for Young Children: Ø Belt Positioning Booster – The seat MUST be used Forward-Facing and MUST be used with a Lap and Shoulder belt.
Ø High Back Belt Positioning Booster – The seat is manufactured with a higher back. It is designed for cars that have a small seat back, for added neck protection. The seat MUST be used Forward-Facing and MUST be used with a Lap and Shoulder belt.
USEFUL HINTS & SAFETY TIPS: Ø All straps should be free of any twists, rips or tears and should be routed correctly. Ø NEVER put shoulder belts under a child’s arms or behind his/her back. Ø The Harness Clip should be at armpit level. Ø The Lower Straps should be over the thighs. Ø There should be no more than 1 finger worth of slack at the child’s upper chest. Ø There should be no more than 1” of movement at the belt path. Ø Check the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual, prior to installation, to confirm if a Child Safety Seat is recommended in the seat that you are planning to install it in. Ø Only use federally –certified child safety seats that are appropriate to your child’s age and weight. Ø Do Not use a Child Safety Seat that has been involved in a crash. Ø All seats MUST be used within the manufacturer’s specification. Ø Do Not use a Child Safety Seat that has been recalled, unless the Manufacturers modifications have been made. An updated list can be found at:
www.odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/childseat.cfm
HELPFUL CONTACTS: Ø National Highway Safety Traffic Safety Administration – www.nhtsa.dot.gov o Child Safety Seat Recall List – www.odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/childseat.cfm Ø NYS Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee – www.safeny.com Ø National Child Safety Board – www.cpsboard.org Ø Safe Kids - www.safekids.org/members/unitedStates.html |
