Seat Smarts

Guidelines and Recommendations for Child Passenger Safety

• Infants less than 1 year and 20 pounds must ride semi-reclined in a rear-facing position to protect the spine and neck.
• It is recommended that infants and toddlers ride rear-facing in a convertible infant/toddler seat up to 35 pounds or the maximum weight specified by the manufacturer.

• All children under age 13 should ride in a back seat.
• If a child must ride in the front seat, then the child with a full harness or properly adjusted shoulder belt seated in the correct forward facing and upright position should sit there.
• Move the vehicle seat back as far away from the airbag as possible.
• If the vehicle has side airbags or curtains, check the vehicle owner's manual and child restraint manual for instructions.
• For older children sitting in safety belts next to side airbags, remind them to sit straight up and avoid resting their heads on a window or structural pillar of the vehicle.

• Infant seat harness straps should pass through the slots at or below the rear-facing baby's shoulders.
• Toddler seat harness straps should pass through the slots at or above the forward-facing toddler's shoulders. Read seat instructions.
• A toddler is too large for a harness when the shoulders are above the top harness slots, or exceeds weight.
• Harness straps must lay flat on the chest and over the hips. Harness straps must pass the "pinch" test: when the buckled straps are pinched at the shoulder, there should be no slack or extra webbing.
• The harness retainer clip must sit at the child's armpit level, and the straps must be threaded properly through the clip.

• Boosters are used only with lap/shoulder safety belts. Most do not allow for a pre-crash locked safety belt.
• Special products, such as vests and Y harnesses used with a booster base, must be used according to manufacturer's instructions and the vehicle owner's manual.

• Do not use LATCH and safety belts together.
• Never install a rear-facing car seat in front of an airbag that cannot be turned off. Newer "smart" airbags may automatically deactivate, but follow vehicle manufacturer's instructions completely.
• Safety belts must pass through the car seat exactly where the manufacturer directs.
• The car seat must not move more than 1 inch side to side or front to back when grasped at the belt path.
• Use the tether as directed by the manufacturer and the vehicle owner's manual.
• LATCH anchors are used only if both the vehicle and the car seat are equipped.
• Check vehicle manufacturer's manual to identify designated LATCH and tether locations. Follow manufacturer's instructions.
• Tethers are never attached to the lower anchor bars.
• Use tethers on rear-facing car seats only if the manufacturer so directs.
• Vehicles made after 1996 should meet federal safety belt lock ability requirements; no locking clip should be needed.
• Test vehicle safety belts by buckling the safety belt and pulling slightly upward on the lap belt.
• Tethers may be used in some vehicles to under 48 pounds and in others to 60 pounds. Older children who ride in harnessed seats will require special arrangements. Check with vehicle manufacturer.

• With the child's back and bottom against vehicle seat back, the knees should bend naturally at vehicle seat edge.
• When the safety belt is buckled, the lap belt fits low on the hips, and the shoulder belt rests between neck and shoulder on the collarbone. The shoulder belt is never placed under the arm or behind the back.
• Optimally, the child's feet should touch the floor.