We are a Permanent Car Seat Checking Station
An estimated 4 out of 5 children who are placed in child restraints and booster seats are improperly restrained. The Chowan/Perquimans Smart Start Partnership has nationally certified child safety seat installers. Call the Partnership at 252-482-3035 for help in installing your safety seat or to check and see if it is installed correctly. Your child's life is in your hands.
Rear-facing: Infants should ride in rear-facing restraints until they are at least one year of age and weigh at least 20 pounds, preferably until the upper weight limit of the seat is reached.
-
Facing the rear of the vehicle protects a young child's neck and spinal cord from violent crash forces.
-
Never put a rear-facing child in a front seat with a passenger air bag unless you can turn the air bag off.
-
Recline the seat so your child's head can rest flat against the shell, according to the manufacturer's instructions.
-
Route the harness straps through harness slots that are at or slightly below shoulder level.
-
Keep harness straps snug and fasten harness retainer clip at armpit level.
-
Position an infant's seat's carrying handle correctly.
-
Some convertible seats have rear-facing limits up to 35 pounds.
Forward-Facing Convertible Child Restraint:
-
Place child restraint in upright position or as specified by the manufacturer.
-
Route the harness straps through the top slot or as specified by the manufacturer.
-
Keep harness straps snug and flat.
-
Fasten harness retainer clip at armpit level.
-
Most child restraints have weight limits of 40 pounds, but some restraints have higher weight limits up to 65 pounds.
Forward-Facing Combination Harness/Booster Seat:
- This is a good option for children who are near the weight limit of convertible seats, but still need a five point harness and then a booster seat.
- Route the harness straps through the slots at or slightly above shoulder level.
- Fasten harness retainer clip at armpit level.
- When the child reaches the upper weight limit for the harness, remove harnesses and use as a belt-positioning booster with lap and shoulder belt.
High Back Belt-Positioning Booster Seat:
Children who have outgrown the upper weight limit of their child restraint (usually between 40-80 pounds) should use booster seats or other appopriate child restraints until the lap and shoulder belt fits correctly.
- If your vehicle has a low seat back and your child's ears are above it, you need a high back booster seat to protect the child's neck.
- Boosters must be used with both lap and shoulder belts.
- The belt positioning booster seat positions the child so the lap and shoulder belts will fit properly, thus providing maximum protection in a crash.
Backless Belt-Positioning Booster Seat:
- Children less than 80 pounds are too small for the vehicle safety belt alone to fit correctly.
- A booster seat positions the lap belt snugly over the hips and upper thighs and shoulder belt snugly across the chest and shoulder.
- Boosters must be used with both lap and shoulder belts.
Lap and Shoulder Safety Belts:
A child is ready for the adult safety belt when:
- The child can sit all the way back against the vehicle seat, with his/her knees bent over the edge.
- The shoulder belt remains positioned snugly across the chest and collarbone.
- The lap belt remains positioned snugly across the upper thighs.
- Note: Placing the shoulder belt under a child's arm of behind the back is dangerous and illegal.
- If your child weighs more than 80 pounds and at least 4' 9" tall.
Lap Belt Only
Vehicles with only lap belts in the back seat.
- Obtain a child restraint that is specifically designed for children heavier than 40 pounds, when installed with a lap belt only.
- Contact your vehicle's manufacturer about whether shoulder belts can be installed in your back seat.
- Correctly restrain your child in the front seat, using a booster seat and the lap and shoulder belts. Move the vehicle seat as far back as possible.
- Use a properly fitted lap only safety belt positioned snugly across the upper thighs.
The above information is taken from the Safe Kids North Carolina Buckle Up Program. For more information, visit www.ncsafekids.org.
