Installing
Child Safety Seats |
| Did
you know that 4 out of every 5 child safety seats are used
incorrectly? Children who are not properly buckled up may
be seriously hurt not only in crashes, but also from sudden
stops. Read the manufacturers' instructions for the child
safety seat and the vehicle to check if you are using your
seat correctly. Be sure to check the instruction manual for
the weight and height restrictions for the child safety seats
you are using. The safety seat should meet federal safety
standards and be installed properly to prevent injuries. The
best and safest restraint should fit the child's size and
weight; fit in your vehicle tightly and be used correctly
every time. |
| Rear Facing
Seat (newborn to at least one year old) |
*A rear facing seat should never be placed in front of
an air bag. Always place rear-facing safety seats in the
reclined position at a 45-degree angle. Keep the harness
at or below shoulders. If the seat has a handle, most manufacturers
recommend that the handle be in the down position. Read
the owners manual for your seat
|
| Forward Facing Seat (one
to four years) |
| *Place forward facing seat in the upright position.
Move the harness to the proper slots, usually the top slots.
Check the instructions for the exact positioning.
|
| Booster Seat (four
to eight years old) |
| *A booster seat is necessary for a child who has outgrown
the convertible seat. A booster seat keeps the belt positioned
properly for the child. Booster seats come with or with
out a high back. Both must be used with a lap and shoulder
belt. Boosters without a back may only be used in vehicles
with a head rest.
|
| Adult Safety Belt |
| *Car safety belts are designed for adults' comfort and
safety. Children do not fit into the belt properly until
they can sit with their back against the vehicle seat and
their knees bent comfortably and completely over the vehicle
seat edge without slouching. Usually children over 80 pounds
and 8 years can fit correctly in lap shoulder belts.
|
| Warning!! |
|
A safety seat that was used in a vehicle during a crash
should not be used again. Contact the manufacturer for instructions.
The seat may not look damaged, but unseen damage may make
the seat less effective in a second crash and cause serious
injury to the child.
|
