Child Passenger Safety Week

Did you Know…

7 out of 10 car seats are unknowingly installed incorrectly. Contact Helping Services for Youth & Families to talk to a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician at info@helpingservices.org or 563-387-1720 to get the correct information to the questions you have. We would be happy to set up a free appointment to assist you on the correct install for your child’s car seat in your vehicle.

Is your child in the RIGHT Car Seat? There are 4 steps to keep your child safe.

STEP ONE: Rear-Facing Car Seat
Rear facing car seats should be used from birth until your child reaches the seat’s upper weight OR height limit.

• Can be used up to 40 pounds, depending on the manufacturer.
• Rear-facing harness straps should be positioned at or below your child’s shoulders.
• Rear-facing seats should be installed at the angle determined by the car seat manufacturer.
• Options include a rear-facing infant carrier OR a rear-facing convertible seat.

STEP TWO: Forward-Facing Car Seat
A forward-facing car seat with a five-point harness should be used until a child reaches the seat’s upper weight or height limit.

• Can be used up to 50 to 90 pounds, depending on the manufacturer.
• Forward-facing harness straps should be positioned at or above your child’s shoulders.
• Make sure to connect your seat’s top tether strap when installing your forward-facing seat.
• Options include a forward-facing convertible seat or a forward-facing-only seat.

STEP THREE: Booster Seat
Use a booster seat when your child exceeds the weight or height limit of their forward-facing harness seat.

• You must use a high-back booster seat if your vehicle has low seat backs and no headrest for your child.
• Minimum weight limits for booster seats vary depending on the manufacturer and the booster seat type (high-back or low-back).
• This type of seat must be used with a vehicle lap and shoulder belt system.

STEP FOUR: Seat Belt
Your child must pass the Belt Fit Test prior to discontinuing use of a booster seat.
The Belt Fit Test:

• Your child should be able to sit with his or her back flat against the vehicle seat.
• Your child’s knees should bend over the vehicle seat edge.Your child’s feet should touch the floor.
• The lap portion of the vehicle seat belt should cross your child’s upper thigh area and the shoulder belt portion of the vehicle seat belt should cross the child’s collarbone area.

For questions, resources, and to schedule an appointment with a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician contact info@helpingservices.org or 563-387-1720.