Child Safety Seats

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is a child safety seat and why does my child need it? A child safety seat is a padded seat that holds infants and children while riding in a car. A child safety seat can also be called a car seat. If used correctly, the child safety seat will keep a child safe during a car crash. More children are hurt and killed in car crashes than from any other type of injury. Using a child safety seat correctly can prevent this from happening.

Which child safety seat is safest for my child?

• The safest child safety seat is one that fits your child's weight, height and age. It is installed in your car correctly. It is easy to use and will be used every time your child is in the car.
  
  
• A brand new child safety seat is the safest for your child. It has never been used. It will have all the parts you need. It will have an instruction manual so you can install it correctly and safely.
  
  
• You can try out different child safety seats in your car before choosing one. Once you have found the child safety seat you like, make sure it fits in your car. Install the child safety seat to the seat of your car. Put your child in the safety seat and adjust the harness straps and buckles. Make sure your child fits in the child safety seat correctly.
  
  
• Be sure to read the entire instruction manual that comes with your child safety seat and your car. You can then be sure you are installing your child safety seat correctly. Once you have read the manual and installed your child safety seat, keep the manual in your car. You may need it to adjust your child safety seat when your child gets older and bigger.
  
  
• When you purchase a new child safety seat, it will come with a registration card. Fill the card out and mail it to the company that made your child safety seat. This way the company can notify you of problems or recalls with your child safety seat.

What if I cannot buy a new child safety seat?

• If you buy or borrow a used child safety seat, make sure it is safe for your child. Do not buy or borrow a used child safety seat if any parts are missing. Buy or borrow a used child safety seat from someone you can trust. This person should be able to tell you the history of the child safety seat. Never use a child safety seat that has been in a crash.
  
  
• You should not use a child safety seat that is more than 6 years old. Do not use the safety seat if the date it was made is not on the seat. Do not use the safety seat if the company's name that made it is not on the seat. Only use a seat that has a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 sticker. This sticker means that the safety seat meets or exceeds this safety standard.
  
  
• You will also need to make sure a used child safety seat has not been recalled. A child safety seat that has been recalled has a safety problem. Your child may not be as safe in a crash if the recalled seat is used. If your child safety seat has been recalled, be sure to get it fixed right away. You will also need an instruction manual to put the child safety seat in your car correctly. If you need an instruction manual or you need recall information, contact the following organization:

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  400 Seventh Street SW
  Washington, DC 20590
  Phone: 1-888-327-4236
  Web Address: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov
  

What are the different types of child safety seats?

• Rear-Facing Infant Only:
  
  
  • This child safety seat must be facing towards the back of the car. Your baby will be looking towards the back of your car. This position will protect your baby's neck and spine from being injured in a crash.
    
    
  
  
• Convertible (Rear-Facing and Forward-Facing):
  
  
  • This child safety seat can be used rear-facing for babies. It can also be turned around and used forward-facing for toddlers. Many parents like this child safety seat because it can be used for both babies and toddlers.
    
    
  • There are 3 different types of harness straps available for the convertible child safety seat. The first type is the 5-point harness. The second type is a T-Shield (shoulder straps attach to a flat pad in front of your baby). The third type is an Overhead Shield (shoulder straps attach to a shield that swings over your baby's head). The best choice for a secure and safe fit is the 5-point harness.
  
  
• Forward-Facing Only:
  
  
  • This child safety seat is designed to be in the forward-facing position only. Your child will be looking towards the front of your car.
    
    
  • Most of these child safety seats have harness straps that will hold your child safely.
  
  
• Combination Forward-Facing/Booster Seat:
  
  
  • This child safety seat can be used with or without harness straps. Before you use this child safety seat, be sure to check the weight limit of the harness straps.
    
    
  • When your child is the proper weight the harness straps will not need to be used. This child safety seat will then be used as a booster seat. You will use your car's seat belt to hold your child in the child safety seat.
  
  
• Belt-Positioning Booster Seat:
  
  
  • There are no harness straps or shields on a belt-positioning booster seat. Your car's seat belt holds your child in the booster seat safely and correctly.
    
    
  • It is called a "booster seat" because it boosts or lifts your child up. That way the car's seat belt fits your child correctly. Your booster seat may either have a low back or a high back. You may use a low back booster seat if your car's seat back is above your child's ears. Use the high back booster seat if your car's seat back does not come above your child's ears. This will help prevent neck and spine injuries in a crash.
    
    
  • The lap and shoulder belt must fit properly to work safely. The lap belt should fit low over your child's upper legs. Never let the lap belt rest against your child's tummy. The shoulder belt should cross the center of your child's shoulder and be close to your child's chest. The shoulder belt should not lie across your child's neck. Never tuck the shoulder belt under your child's arm or behind your child's back.
    
    
  • Always use the lap and shoulder belt with the booster seat. Using the lap belt alone can cause serious injury. If your back seat only has lap belts, you may be able to have shoulder straps installed.

Which child safety seat is safest for my child's age and weight? The age and weight limits are different for many of the child safety seats available. The ages and weights listed below may not be the same for the child safety seat you choose. Before you choose a child safety seat for your child, check the age and weight limits.

• Rear-Facing Infant Only:
  
  
  • Your baby can use this child safety seat from birth up to 20 to 22 pounds.
    
    
  • Your baby must be rear-facing until 1 year old AND at least 20 pounds. Babies over 1 year old and less than 20 pounds must be rear-facing. Babies under 1 year old and more than 20 pounds must also be rear-facing.
    
    
  • A few of these child safety seats can hold babies up to 30 to 35 pounds.
  
  
• Convertible (Rear-Facing and Forward-Facing):
  
  
  • Your baby must be rear-facing from birth up to at least 1 year old. You can use this seat until your baby weighs 20 to 35 pounds. It is safest to keep your baby rear-facing as long as possible.
    
    
  • Change to the forward-facing position when your child is over 1 year old and at least 20 pounds. You can use this seat until your child weighs 40 pounds.
  
  
• Forward-Facing Only:
  
  
  • Your child must be over 1 year old. And your child should weigh at least 20 pounds before using this seat. You can use this seat until your child weighs 40 pounds or more.
    
    
  • Some of these child safety seats can hold a child that weighs more than 40 pounds.
  
  
• Combination Forward-Facing/Booster Seat:
  
  
  • Your child must be over 1 year old. And your child should weigh at least 20 pounds before using this seat. The harness straps can be used until your child is 40 pounds.
    
    
  • You may then remove the harness straps and use your car's seat belt until your child is 80 pounds. Always use your car's lap AND shoulder belt when your child no longer uses a harness straps.
  
  
• Belt-Positioning Booster Seat:
  
  
  • Your child should weigh at least 40 pounds before using this child safety seat. You can use this seat until your child weighs 80 to 100 pounds.
    
    
  • The booster seat should always be used with your car's lap and shoulder belt. Never use the booster seat with the lap belt alone.

Where is the safest place for my child in a car? The safest place for your child is in the back seat of your car. All children under the age of 12 should be restrained in the back seat. Head-on crashes are the most common type of accident, so all children are safest in the back seat. If you must put a child in the front seat, put the oldest child in the front. This should only be done if the back seat is full or cannot be used.

What if my car has air bags? An air bag that opens and hits a child may cause serious injury or death. Children are safest in the back seat of a car. It is even more important for children to sit in the back seat if a car has air bags. Never place an infant in a rear-facing child safety seat in the front seat of a car with a passenger air bag that is on. The owner's manual for your car should have information about using child safety seats and air bags.

What if I have to put a child in the front seat and my car has air bags? If you have a vehicle with no back seat or it is too small, you may need to place your child in the front seat. Some children with certain medical conditions may need to be placed in the front seat. Your child's caregiver will tell you if your child should be placed in the front seat for medical reasons.

• Infants: Never place an infant in a rear-facing child safety seat in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger air bag that is on. Infants in a rear-facing child safety seat can only be in the front seat if your car has an on/off air bag switch. You must remember to turn the switch off every time you place an infant in the front seat. If you do not turn the switch off , serious injury or death can occur to the infant. If you do not have a passenger air bag on/off switch, do not place an infant in the front seat.
  
  
• Children under 12 years old: For a child under 12 years old, except for infants, keep a child safe by doing the following:
  
  
  • If your car has an on/off switch, turn the passenger air bag off . Place the child in the front seat in the appropriate child safety seat. Slide the front seat as far back as it will go.
    
    
  • If your car does not have an on/off switch only place the child in the front seat if you do the following:
    
    
    • Make sure the child is in the appropriate child safety seat.
      
      
    • Slide the front seat as far back as it will go. This may prevent the air bag from hitting the child in a crash.
      
      
    • The child must stay in the proper position while in the front seat. This will reduce the chance of the child being hit by the air bag.
  
  
• If you think you need your passenger air bag turned off and you do not have an on/off switch, contact the following:

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  400 Seventh Street SW
  Washington, DC 20590
  Phone: 1-888-327-4236
  Web Address: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov
  

What else can I do to keep my child safe in a car?

• Read your child safety seat and car's instruction manual before installing your child safety seat. These manuals will explain how to install your child safety seat safely and correctly. They will also explain the proper way to put your baby or child in the child safety seat.
  
  
• Make sure your child safety seat is tightly secured to your car's seat before each use. Your child safety seat should not move more than 1 inch forwards or sideways once installed. Check to make sure there is no slack in the car's seat belt. Some seat belts can be locked into position. Read your car's instruction manual for information about seat belt locking systems.
  
  
• Take any thick clothing off your child before putting your child in a child safety seat with harness straps. You should do this so the harness straps fit around your child correctly. You can place a blanket over your child after the harness straps are placed snugly. The harness straps are snug when you can only slip one finger between your baby's shoulder and the harness.
  
  
• If your baby is rear-facing, put the shoulder straps in the slots at or below your baby's shoulders. If your child is forward-facing the shoulder straps should be moved to the highest slots.
  
  
• For a small baby, place rolled-up cloth blankets next to your baby's head and neck. This will give your baby extra support. Make sure your baby does not slide down in the child safety seat. You can place some blankets between your baby's legs for extra support.
  
  
• Be sure the child safety seat is not too hot before you place your child in the seat. Hot straps and belts may burn your child. Cover the seat with a towel or sheet in hot weather and if you park in direct sunlight. Be sure to remove the towel or sheet before you place your child back into the child safety seat.
  
  
• Set an example for your child. Everyone in the car should be wearing a seat belt. Praise your child for good behavior in the car. Never let your child out of the child safety seat or seat belt while the car is moving. If your child unbuckles the belt or gets out of the seat, pull over and stop the car. Do not continue driving until your child is buckled in safely.

When does my child not have to use a child safety seat?

• Your child should be at least 4 feet 9 inches tall.
  
  
• Your child should be able to:
  
  
  • Sit with back flat against your car's seat back with knees bent over the seat edge.
    
    
  • Sit with the lap belt securely on your child's upper legs and not against the tummy.
    
    
  • Sit with the shoulder belt on the center of the shoulder and close to your child's chest. The shoulder strap should not lie across your child's neck. Never tuck the shoulder belt under your child's arm or back. This can cause serious injury in a crash.
  
  
• Use a belt-positioning booster child safety seat to help your child fit properly in your car's seat.

Common questions about child safety seats:

• What if my baby is premature (very small at birth)? Use a rear-facing child safety seat without a shield. The shield comes up too high towards a small baby's face. Have your caregiver check the seat you will be using. If your baby needs to lie flat or is under 5 pounds, you may need a special car seat.
  
  
• Can my child safety seat be used in an airplane? Yes, most child safety seats can be used in an airplane. The only type of child safety seat that cannot be used is the belt-positioning booster seat. Children under 2 years old or weighing less than 40 pounds should be in a child safety seat.
  
  
• Which child safety seat should I use if my child has a disability? You will need to talk with your caregiver. Your caregiver will help you decide which seat is best for your child.
  
  
• How can I make sure my child safety seat is installed correctly? Many states have child passenger safety technicians (tek-nish-ins) that make sure your child safety seat is properly installed. A technician is the best person to check if your child safety seat is installed correctly. Most technicians are located at car dealers, hospitals, and police or fire departments. You can visit your caregiver, police or fire department if there is no technician in your city. Contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for a list of technicians in your area.

Where can I get more information about child safety seats?

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  400 Seventh Street SW
  Washington, DC 20590
  Phone: 1-888-327-4236
  Web Address: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov
  

• National SAFE KIDS Campaign
  1301 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Ste 1000
  Washington, DC 20004
  Phone: 1-202-662-0600
  Web Address: http://www.safekids.org
  

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan how your child rides in a car. To help with this plan you must learn about child safety seats. Work with your caregiver to decide what is the best way for your child to safely ride in a car.

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