CAR SEATS

Car seats, is your correct, here is some information that may help.... Dave

Precious cargo: Choosing and using car safety seats

For safety, children should be properly secured in cars every time they ride. Child safety seats reduce the risk of death in passenger cars by 71 percent for infants and by 54 percent for children ages 1 to 4 years, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Kids younger than age 13 years should ride in the back seat, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). But, how they ride depends on their age and size. Also, be familiar with the laws in your state.

There are four stages of car seat safety:

1. Rear-facing seats are for infants. Keep babies in rear-facing car seats for as long as possible — at least until your child is age 1 year and weighs 20 pounds. Never put these seats in the front seats of vehicles, especially those that have active passenger-side air bags. If the bag inflates, it could cause serious injury or death. The safest place for all infants and children is the back seat.

2. Forward-facing seats come next. They should be placed in the back seat away from airbags. These seats are for toddlers and preschoolers who are at least age 1 year or older and weigh 20 pounds or more. They can ride in this seat until they reach the upper height or weight limit of the seat, usually around 40 pounds or age 4 years. Your child has outgrown it if his or her shoulders are above the top harness slots or ears have reached the top of the seat.

3. Booster seats are for kids who’ve outgrown their forward-facing car safety seats. They help seat belts fit properly across the lap and shoulder. Use one until a seat belt fits properly without the use of a booster seat, usually around age 8 years or 4 feet 9 inches tall.

4. Seat belts are for children who’ve outgrown booster seats, usually age 8 years or taller than 4 feet 9 inches. The lap belt should fit across the upper thighs and a shoulder belt should run across the chest — not the neck or throat. Be a good role model. Always wear your seat belt, too.

Check your technique
Have your car seat checked to be sure you’ve installed it correctly. Visit the NHTSA Web site at www.nhtsa.gov. Click on “Locate a Child Seat Fitting Station” under “Quick Clicks.” Enter your zip code to find a local technician who will check your safety seat. Your local fire station may install and inspect car seats, too.