Car Seat Safety Tips
Does your child ride in the back seat?

The back seat is generally the safest place in a crash.If your vehicle has a passenger airbag, it is essential, that children 12 and under be properly restrained in the back seat of a vehicle.Never place a rear facing infant seat in the front seat of a vehicle with an air bag.

Does your child ride facing the right way?

Babies should ride facing the rear up to at least age one and 20 pounds.

Children over age one and at least 20 pounds may ride facing forward.

Does the safety belt hold the seat tightly in place:

Put the belt through the right slot.  If your safety seat can be used facing either way, use the correct belt slots for each direction.

The safety belt must stay tight around the safety seat.  Check the vehicle owner's manual for tips on using the safety seats.

Is the harness buckled snugly around your child?

Keep the straps over your child's shoulders.  The harness should be adjusted so you can slip only one finger underneath the straps at your child's chest.  Place the chest clip at armpit level.

Does your child over 40 pounds have the best protection possible?

Keep your child in a safety seat as long as possible, at least until 40 pounds.  Then use an auto booster seat that makes vehicle belts fit better.  Most children this size are much too small to fit correctly in safety belts.

A booster seat without a shield is preferred.  It is used only with lap and shoulder belts. A booster with a shield is used if your vehicle has only lap belts in the back.  Check on special product for heavy children too active to sit still in a booster.

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.  The lap belt must fit low and tight across the upper thighs.  The shoulder belt should fit over the shoulder and across the chest.  Never put the shoulder strap under the arm or behind the back.