Camp Hill Police Department

14 Child Safety Seat Tips

 

Any Age, Weight or Height, Always Buckle Your Family Right!
Follow basic "correct use" principles to provide education and guidance to child restraint users without compromising the child's safety.  Parents must become familiar with their safety belt systems, car seats and other vehicle safety features.

 

  1. Read both the car seat and vehicle owner's manuals before attempting a car seat 
      installation.
    * There is no short cut to achieving a safe installation.

  2. Infants always ride rear-facing at no greater than a 45 degree recline.
      * This enables the infant to maintain an open airway.

  3. Infants ride rear-facing until one year of age AND at least 20 pounds
      * Be certain your car seat is crash tested to a higher weight (30 - 35 pounds) for higher weight 
          infants.

  4. NEVER place a rear-facing car seat in the front seat of airbag equipped vehicles.  
       To determine if airbags are present in the vehicle, check the:
      * Sun Visor
      * Dashboard
      * Owner's Manual

  5. Older toddlers and children up to 80 pounds, can ride in front of an airbag 
       equipped vehicle only if properly protected.  ALWAYS:
      * Push the vehicle's front seat back as far as possible.
      * Use harness according to manufacturers instructions.
      * Use shoulder belt properly.

  6. Children should be secured in car seat with harness until 40 pounds.

  7. Place the car seat harness through the proper slots:
      * At or below the shoulders of a rear-facing infant.
      * At or above the shoulders of a forward facing child.

8. The car seat harness should not allow any slack.
      A Snug Harness:
   * Lies in a relatively straight line without sagging.
     * Should not, however be so tight as to press into a child's body.

  9. Children from 40 to 80 pounds should ride in a belt positioning booster seat.

10. Children age 12 and under should ride in the rear seating area.

11. Place the vehicle seat belt around and through the car seat exactly where the car 
       seat manufacturer directs.

12. Tighten and LOCK the vehicle seat belt according to directions found in the 
       vehicle owner's manual.
   * Check for tightness at the seat belt path.
   * Allow no more than 1 inch of side to side or forward movement of the car seat.

13. Obtain and use any additional equipment necessary to secure the seat belt 
       properly.
   * Locking Clips
   * Auxilary Buckles
   * Tethers

14. When in doubt, don't guess, read all the instructions, call for technical 
       assistance.
       NHTSA, 1 (800) CAR-BELT or other advocates.  

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