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Quick safety seat checkup The back, center if possible, seat of the vehicle is generally the safest place in a crash. Does your child ride facing the right way? Are they in the appropriate seat? Infants should ride in rear facing restraints, preferably in the back seat, until age 1 and at least 20 lbs. - Always read your child restraint owner manual for instructions on properly using the restraint.
- NEVER PLACE A REAR-FACING CHILD IN THE FRONT SEAT OF A VEHICLE WITH A PASSENGER AIR BAG
- Infants who weigh 20 lbs. but are still under 1 year of age should ride in a rear-facing seat that is weight and height appropriate for your child in the rear-facing mode.
- Does your child safety seat move less than 1 inch side-to-side AT THE BELT PATH.
- Is the harness in the appropriate slots according to your owners manual?
- Is the carrying handle of your infant seat in the appropriate position- with most seats a handle left in the upright position could injury a child during a crash!
- Is your child is over 4 years of age and still in a child restraint?
- Kids under 13 years of age should ride in the rear of the vehicle.
Child safety seat information Infant Only/ Rear-facing Convertible Seats Facing the rear of the vehicle protects a young child's neck and spinal cord from violent crash forces. - Route harness straps in harness slots that are at or slightly below shoulder level.
- Recline the seat to appropriate angle (about 30-45 degrees) Always follow safety seat installation instructions!!
- Position the carrying handle in the correct position (usually in the down position)
- Keep the harness straps snug and fasten harness clip at armpit level
KIDS OVER 1 YEAR OLD, WHO WEIGH 20-40 LBS AND CAN NO LONGER RIDE REAR-FACING, SHOULD RIDE IN FORWARD-FACING CHILD SAFETY SEATS Convertible/Foward-facing Only - Route harness straps in the reinforced slots at or slightly above shoulder level.
- Place child safety seat in upright position
- Keep harness straps snug and flat
- Fasten harness clip at armpit level
KIDS OVER 49 LBS MUST USE BOOSTER SEATS OR OTHER APPROPRIATE CHILD RESTRAINTS UNTIL THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELTS FIT CORRECTLY OVER THE HIPS AND SHOULDERS A belt-positioning booster seat helps the adult lap and shoulder belt fit better. A belt-positioning booster seat is preferred for children between 40-80 pounds. Booster Seats - These seats must be used with both lap and shoulder belts
- If your vehicle has a low seat back and your child's ears end up above it, you need a high back booster seat
How should a safety belt fit an older child? The child must 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 . The adult lap and shoulder belt system alone will not fit most children until they are at least 4'9" tall and weigh about 80 pounds. Never put the shoulder belt under the arm or behind the child's back. Which seat is best for my child? The seat that fits your child, your vehicle and that you can afford and use correctly every time! The only thing we suggest is the use of a child restraint that has a FIVE POINT HARNESS. (Just like that used by race car drivers) All child safety seats must meet the same safety requirements The use of after market products are strongly discouraged.
Other questions to ask yourself: - Does your vehicle have side impact air bags? (a side impact air bag or air curtain could injury a child sitting out of position)
- Can your child restraint be installed in front of a fold down armrest? (some seats cannot be installed in front of a fold down armrest)
- Is your seat over six years of age? (Manufactures have started putting expiration dates on seats due to wear and tear the seats go through reducing the safety of the restraint)
- Are you the original owner of the child restraint? (second hand/used seats should be avoid due to the unknown history of the seat)
- Has your seat been involved in a crash? (seats that have been involved in a crash should be replaced)
- Have you sent in your registration card? (mailing in this card is important so that the manufacture can notify you if there is ever a recall with your seat)
For help with installing your child safety restraint, please call (636)970-9700 You can also call 314-776-3627 to find a fitting station near you or 1-888-DASH-2-DOT for additional information. |
