Car Seat Use and Misuse

Car Seat Safety

 

Car and Booster Seat Safety

Car crashes are the leading cause of death among children ages 14 and under. In order to prevent serious injuries or even death, children need to be properly restrained in a car seat or booster seat. In Utah County, 98% of car seats are installed incorrectly. Not sure if your car seat is installed correctly? The following options are available to help you. For questions or concerns, call: 851-7035 or 851-7068.

 

Car Seat Classes

This is a fun and informative class. It is free to the public and lasts about one hour and 15 minutes. It is held twice a month at the Utah County Health Department (located at 151 South University Ave, Provo, Utah) in room 2601. We guarantee that you will learn a lot and be happy you came!

This class covers the basics of child passenger safety including:

• Crash tests
• Correct installation
• Misuse
• Height and weight requirements and the different types of car seats.

 

Car Seat Checks

These are available most weekdays and are scheduled by appointment. It takes about 30 minutes to check for recalls, install the seat, make sure your child fits correctly, and send you safely on your way.

Car Seat Basics

Infant Seats (Rear-Facing Only)

For children between 5 and 20 pounds

• Infant seats should be installed to face the rear of the vehicle.
• Never install a rear facing car seat in the front seat of a car that has an air bag.
• On most models, the carrying handle should be in the down position when driving.
• The harness straps should be snug. No slack between the collar bone and the harness.
• The retainer clip should be at armpit level.
• When choosing a car seat it is recommended to get one with a 5-point harness.
• Never place any extra padding between your child and the harness straps. That means no puffy coats, head positioners that did not come with the seat, or snow bunny outfits. In a crash, these will compress and give more room for your child to slip out.
• The harness straps should come out of the seat slots at or below the child’s shoulders when facing the rear.
• All children should remain rear facing until they reach at least one year of age AND 20 pounds, although the AAP recommends a child stay rear-facing to the maximum rear facing weight limit of the car seat (usually 30 to 35 pounds).

 

Convertible Seats (Rear and Forward-Facing)

For children between 5 and 40 pounds

• Most convertible seats can hold a child up to 30 pounds rear facing.
• The harness straps should be snug, and the retainer clip should be at armpit level.
• When placed forward facing, the tether strap should be hooked to a designated anchor point. If the car does not have an anchor point, check with the dealer, they should be able to install one for you.
• When placed facing forward the harness straps should be moved to the reinforced slots (top slots) on most convertible seats. The seat must be moved to the upright position.
• The straps should come out of the seat slots at or above child’s shoulders when forward facing.

 

Combination Seats (Forward-Facing Only)

For children between 20 and 80 pounds

• The harness straps should be snug, and the retainer clip should be at armpit level.
• When placed facing forward, the tether strap should be hooked to a designated anchor point. If the car does not have an anchor point, check with the dealer, they should be able to install one for you.
• The straps should come out of the seat slots at or above child’s shoulders when forward facing.
• After 40lbs the seat can be converted into a belt positioning booster seat. Refer to car seat owners manual.

 

Booster Seats (Forward-Facing Only)

For children under 4’9” and between 40 lbs and 80 pounds

Booster seats require a lap AND shoulder belt.

• All children under 4’9” and between 40 and 80 pounds should ride in a booster seat.
• Keep in mind that regular seat belts are designed to fit men who are 5’10” and who weigh 160 pounds. A child under 4’9” will not fit correctly in a seat belt alone.
• Booster seats are not designed to use with a lap belt only.
• Tether straps are not to be used on booster seats.

 

Links for Car Seat Safety

Car Seat Recall Information
SaferCar—http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/childseat.cfm

Car Seat Safety
American Academy of Pediatrics— http://www.aap.org/family/carseatguide.htm
American Family Physicians— http://www.aafp.org/afp/20050801/479ph.html
Child Safety Seat Counseling— www.aafp.org/afp/20050801/473.pdf
Mayo Clinic— http://mayoclinic.com/health/car-seat-safety/FL00094&slide=1
Partners for Child Passenger Safety— http://www.chop.edu/consumer/jsp/division/generic.jsp?id=77971

Ease of Use Rating System
National Traffic Highway Safety Administration

Community Resources for Car Seat Safety

Utah County Health Department

Car Seats and Child Passenger Safety— http://www.utahcountyonline.org/dept/healthpromo/injury/carseats.asp