SAFETY SEATS

Children depend on adults for protection. As an adult you are responsible for the safety of any child (your own or others) who ride in your car. Child safety seats save lives. 

Effective July 2005 the new child restraint laws will change to the following.

Infants to one year old and at least 20 pounds are to be placed in rear-facing car seats in the back seat. This is a minimum. This offers the best protection for your infant, so longer is better.

Children between one and four years old or (between 20 and 40 pounds) can be placed in forward facing car seats.

Children age 4-8 years old must be restrained in some form of restraint. This includes a belt positioning booster seat.

Children who are over 8 years of age and can typically fit correctly in a lap\shoulder belt as well as all children up to age 16 are required to be restrained in a child restraint system or seat belt, in all seating positions, in all vehicles. 

For more information on automotive safety visit www.preventinjury.org

FOUR TYPES OF SAFETY SEATS.....

Infant Safety Seats are suitable for babies up to 9-12 months of age and up to 20 pounds.        

• Babies must ride facing the rear and in the back seat, preferably in the middle.

• Never install an infant safety seat facing forward.

• The safety harness that straps the baby to the carries must be adjusted properly.

• The safety seat must be securely anchored to the vehicle using the lap belt.

Convertible Seats are suitable for children from birth to four years old or 40 pounds. 

• Use your convertible seat facing backwards until your child is 9-12 months of age or 20 pounds

• Though bulkier and more expensive than other models convertible seats can be used longer than other models.

• If available, option tether straps can provide extra protection.

Toddler-Only Seats are suitable for children for 9-12 months of age and 20 pounds to 4 years of age and 40 pounds.

• Children ride facing forward.

• The seat has a safety harness and is secured to the vehicle using the lap belt.

• Some models se a protective shield for children up to 45 pounds that can then be removed and used as a booster seat.

Booster Seats are suitable for children who have outgrown convertible or toddler seats but are not big enough to fit in the vehicle safety belts properly.

• Belt-positioning booster seats are used in vehicles with lap and shoulder belts. 

• Shield booster seats are used in vehicles with lap belts only. 

• Cushions, pillows and other makeshift boosters cannot protect a child in a crash and often times make injuries worse.

CHOOSE THE CORRECT SEAT......

• Make sure the seat fits your car.

• Make sure the seat fits your child.

• Make sure the seat meets federal standards and was manufactured after 1\1\1981

• Make sure the seat is convenient and easy to use , so that you will use it. 

• Do not let cost stand in the way to your child's safety. 

• Buying a used safety seat is risky at best.