Car Seat Safety

Facts:• Since the mid 1980’s, child safety seats have been

required by law for travel in the United States. (New Parent, September 2008)

• In Oregon 97-100% of infant-only seats are not used right. Only when used correctly can car seats prevent up to 70% of these injuries and fatalities. (Guidebook to Pregnancy and Childbirth)

• Motor vehicle crashes are the No 1 cause of death and injury to all children ages 0-14; there are 7 deaths and 900 serious injuries a day in this age group. (Legacy Child Safety Services)

A newborn baby is not allowed to

leave the hospital without an

approved child safety seat

Infant Car Seats• This seat is used until a child is 20 pounds

and 1 years old• Infant should be semi reclined, not sitting

upright• Infant faces the rear of the car• Five point harness has two straps at the

shoulder, two at the hips, and one at the crotch

5 Point Harness Positioni

ng

Infant Car Seat Examples

Proper Infant Car Seat Installation

• Breastplate on the strap should be at armpit level

• Some have the option of using a base system that stays in the vehicle

• Always position the car seat handle in the down position, behind the car seat

Infant Car Seats

1 year and 20 pounds?• Most parents switch their children to

forward facing as soon as they hit this milestone….• The Facts: Children are safest when they are

facing the back of the car.• Why? In a frontal crash, the baby’s head will

remain cradled and the whiplash motion will be eliminated, reducing the risk of a head or spine injury.

Convertible Car Seat• Used rear facing for babies up to one

year of age and up to 20 pounds• Turned around forward facing when

toddlers are at least 1 years old and at least 20 pounds• Can be used until the child weighs 40

pounds

Convertible Car Seat Examples

Booster Seats• Used by older children as a transition

seat before sitting directly on the vehicle seat• Used by children 40-100 pounds• Some seats have a back support and

seat belt guides

Booster Seats Examples

Convertible Car Seat

What is the law?• Infants ride rear facing until they reach both one year

and twenty pounds.• Children over one year AND between 20-40 pounds

must be properly secured with a forward facing car seat.

• Children who are over 40 pounds must be properly secured in a booster seat until they are 8 OR 4’9” in height.

• Children who are age 8 or older OR are taller than 4’9” must ride properly secured in a safety belt system.

• Buckle up it is the law!!! “Click it or ticket”• The minimum fine for

anyone cited for failing to use a seat belt in Oregon is $110

What is the law?

• Not using a car seat consistently • Using an old or secondhand seat• Turning a child to face forward to soon• Moving a child out of their car seat or

booster seat too soon• Not installing a car seat correctly

The biggest mistakes made are…

• Not securing your child in the seat tight enough• Harness straps are twisted• Not buckling the car seat into the car• Holding a child in your lap• Letting two kids share one seat belt• Letting a child ride in the front seat

The biggest mistakes made are…

Important Tips:• Children of ALL ages should never be placed in the

front seat with a passenger side air bag. • Do not transport sharp, heavy, or loose objects in the

vehicle. Any loose object can become deadly in a sudden stop or accident.

• Do not give children hard, long, or pointed items such as ice cream sticks, lollipops, pencils, or pens to play with while riding.

• Do not use a car seat if you do not know whether or not it has been in an accident.

Car Seat Video

•http://www.babycenter.com/2_how-to-install-an-infant-car-seat_10338943.bc