Child Passenger Safety

CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY PROPER CAR SEAT USE CHART INFANTS WEIGHT TYPE OF SEAT SEAT POSITION Infant only or rear-facing convertible Rear-facing only Birth to 1 year, at least 20-22 Ibs. ALWAYS MAKE SURE Children who weigh less than 20 pounds and who are under the age of 1 should ride in rear-facing seats. Harness straps at or below shoulder level. TODDLERS WEIGHT TYPE OF SEAT SEAT POSITION Convertible / rear-facing Up to 4 years, or between 20 and 35 lbs. Rear-facing (unless above height/ weight requirements) ALWAYS MAKE SURE Harness straps should be at or above shoulders. Most seats require top slot for forward-facing when above height/weight requirements. YOUNG CHILDREN WEIGHT TYPE OF SEAT SEAT POSITION Belt-positioning Over 40 Ibs., ages 4 to 12 unless 4'9" Forward-facing (when they are above the height/ weight requirements) booster seat Belt positioning booster seats must be used with both lap and shoulder belt. Make sure the lap belt fits low and tight across the lap/upper thigh area and the shoulder belt fits snug crossing the chest and shoulder to avoid abdominal injuries. ALWAYS MAKE SURE WARNING All children ages 12 and under should ride in the back seat. Only 3% of children age 1-3 travel in a proper, rear-facing car seat ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE 3% Only 2% of kids ages 7 and up were restrained in a booster seat properly 2% CAR ACCIDENTS are the leading cause of death for children ages 1-12. Using a car seat properly can reduce the risk of your child's death by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers. ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION 71% 54% DID YOU KNOW? Not all state child safety passenger laws are created equal. There are different laws across the nation so make sure to buckle up no matter where you are on your next family road trip. There are mandatory seat belt laws in every state except New Hampshire. In 32 states and the District of Columbia, seatbelt use laws are primary, meaning the police can pull you over for not properly buckling up your kids in the car. All 50 states and the District of Columbia have some sort of child restraint law. Generally, they require infants to ride in a safety seat, young children to ride in a booster seat, and older children to ride secured with a seat belt. REAR-FACING CAR SEAT FORWARD-FACING CAR SEAT BOOSTER SEAT SEAT BELT CAR SEAT SAFETY TIPS Be sure to register your safety seat, so you will be notified if there is a safety recall. If your seat was already in a car accident in the past, don't use it again. It could be damaged, even if you can't see it. SALE Use caution when buying car seats at consignment stores, Goodwill, and other second-hand stores, as well as receiving hand-me-downs. The car seat could be damaged. Don't put the car seat in the front passenger seat. It can be really dangerous if the passenger side airbag deploys. Even if you're just driving a short distance, make sure your child is strapped into the car seat – no exceptions. The majority of car accidents happen close to home. The safest place in a vehicle is the back seat. Children 12 and under should always ride in the back seat whenever possible. Read your car's owner manual, the label on the seat belt, and the instructions on the car seat itself to make sure you use the child safety seat correctly. Many local fire departments, hospitals, car dealerships, and police departments can show you how to use your child restraint system safely. Take advantage of this resource. It's a great way to answer any questions you may have. The best car seat is one that fits your child, fits your vehicle, and is easy to use correctly and safely every time. <40 If your child weighs less than 40 pounds, never put him or her in a booster seat. Edgar Snyder & ASSOCIATES A Law Firm Representing Injured People. © 2012 Edgar Snyder & Associates Visit www.EdgarSnyder.com CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY PROPER CAR SEAT USE CHART INFANTS WEIGHT TYPE OF SEAT SEAT POSITION Infant only or rear-facing convertible Rear-facing only Birth to 1 year, at least 20-22 Ibs. ALWAYS MAKE SURE Children who weigh less than 20 pounds and who are under the age of 1 should ride in rear-facing seats. Harness straps at or below shoulder level. TODDLERS WEIGHT TYPE OF SEAT SEAT POSITION Convertible / rear-facing Up to 4 years, or between 20 and 35 lbs. Rear-facing (unless above height/ weight requirements) ALWAYS MAKE SURE Harness straps should be at or above shoulders. Most seats require top slot for forward-facing when above height/weight requirements. YOUNG CHILDREN WEIGHT TYPE OF SEAT SEAT POSITION Belt-positioning Over 40 Ibs., ages 4 to 12 unless 4'9" Forward-facing (when they are above the height/ weight requirements) booster seat Belt positioning booster seats must be used with both lap and shoulder belt. Make sure the lap belt fits low and tight across the lap/upper thigh area and the shoulder belt fits snug crossing the chest and shoulder to avoid abdominal injuries. ALWAYS MAKE SURE WARNING All children ages 12 and under should ride in the back seat. Only 3% of children age 1-3 travel in a proper, rear-facing car seat ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE 3% Only 2% of kids ages 7 and up were restrained in a booster seat properly 2% CAR ACCIDENTS are the leading cause of death for children ages 1-12. Using a car seat properly can reduce the risk of your child's death by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers. ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION 71% 54% DID YOU KNOW? Not all state child safety passenger laws are created equal. There are different laws across the nation so make sure to buckle up no matter where you are on your next family road trip. There are mandatory seat belt laws in every state except New Hampshire. In 32 states and the District of Columbia, seatbelt use laws are primary, meaning the police can pull you over for not properly buckling up your kids in the car. All 50 states and the District of Columbia have some sort of child restraint law. Generally, they require infants to ride in a safety seat, young children to ride in a booster seat, and older children to ride secured with a seat belt. REAR-FACING CAR SEAT FORWARD-FACING CAR SEAT BOOSTER SEAT SEAT BELT CAR SEAT SAFETY TIPS Be sure to register your safety seat, so you will be notified if there is a safety recall. If your seat was already in a car accident in the past, don't use it again. It could be damaged, even if you can't see it. SALE Use caution when buying car seats at consignment stores, Goodwill, and other second-hand stores, as well as receiving hand-me-downs. The car seat could be damaged. Don't put the car seat in the front passenger seat. It can be really dangerous if the passenger side airbag deploys. Even if you're just driving a short distance, make sure your child is strapped into the car seat – no exceptions. The majority of car accidents happen close to home. The safest place in a vehicle is the back seat. Children 12 and under should always ride in the back seat whenever possible. Read your car's owner manual, the label on the seat belt, and the instructions on the car seat itself to make sure you use the child safety seat correctly. Many local fire departments, hospitals, car dealerships, and police departments can show you how to use your child restraint system safely. Take advantage of this resource. It's a great way to answer any questions you may have. The best car seat is one that fits your child, fits your vehicle, and is easy to use correctly and safely every time. <40 If your child weighs less than 40 pounds, never put him or her in a booster seat. Edgar Snyder & ASSOCIATES A Law Firm Representing Injured People. © 2012 Edgar Snyder & Associates Visit www.EdgarSnyder.com