Road Wise

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Road Wise
ABCs on Child Safety Seats

• Passenger Safety
• Texas AM AgriLife Extension Service
• in cooperation with
• Texas Department of Transportation

Educational programs of the Texas AM AgriLife
Extension Service are open to all people without
regard to race, color, sex, religion, national
origin, age, disability, genetic information or
veteran status. The Texas AM University System,
U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County
Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating.
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Whats the Problem?

• Motor Vehicle Crashes (MVC) are the leading cause
  of death for children.
• Nearly half of children killed in motor vehicle
  crashes were unrestrained.

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Two Important Tools

• Your vehicle owners manual
• Child safety seat instruction booklet

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Four Steps

• Rear-facing Seats
• Forward-facing Seats with Harnesses
• Booster Seats
• Seat Belts

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Rear-facing Seats

• American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping
  children rear-facing until age two or to
  the weight and height limit of their
  seat
• Rear-facing children are five times safer than
  forward-facing children

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Types of Rear-facing Seats
Rear-facing Convertible Seat Convertible seats
can be rear-facing or forward-facing. When
rear-facing, most go 5-35 pounds. Many go 5-40
pounds. Some go to 45 pounds.
Rear-facing Infant Only Use ONLY
rear-facing. Most go 5-22 pounds. Several start
at birth or 4 pounds. Many go up to 30 or 35
pounds.
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Forward-facing

• Children can be forward-facing when they have
  outgrown the limit of their rear-facing seat.
  This is usually at age two or older.
• Children under 40 pounds are best protected in a
  5-point harness.

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Types of Forward-facing Seats
Forward-facing Convertible Seat When
forward-facing, convertible seats go 40
pounds. Many go to higher weights, up to 80
pounds.
Combination Seat or Booster with Harness Booster
with removable harness. Most combination seats go
to 40 pounds. Many go to higher weights.
One goes to 90 pounds. Becomes booster when
harness is removed.
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Harness Slots

• Rear-facing
• Harness straps at or below shoulders
• Forward-facing
• Harness straps at or above shoulders

Harness Slots
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Retainer Clip

• Retainer Clip
• Place at level, armpit to armpit
• Holds straps in position

Retainer Clip
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Harness Straps Snug

• Straps must be snug
• Not able to pinch any of webbing on harness

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Booster Seats

• Booster seats are for children
  who are at least 4 years old and
  40 pounds.
• Children need to be mature enough
  to stay in place in the booster seat.
• Children should ride in booster seats until they
  fit the seat belt system usually at 49 tall.

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Seat Belts

• Children are ready for seat belts when
• The lap belt fits low on the hips and not across
  the abdomen.
• The shoulder belt fits across the middle of the
  shoulder and flat across the chest.
• This is usually when they reach age 8-12.

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Best Practice

• What is the safest way for your child to travel?

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Air Bags What are they good for?
NEVER place a rear-facing seat in front of an
active air bag!
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Pointers for Happy Children in
Safety Seats

• Start early
• Be consistent
• Use words
• Model good behavior

• Boredom monster
• Be firm
• Clue in grandparents
• Be comforting

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Keeping Children Safe in Vehicle

• Use soft toys and books in the car.
• Loose items will become projectiles in a crash.

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Be Safe - Get a Free Inspection

• Most seats are used incorrectly.
• Locate a certified technician near you.
• To schedule a free inspection, go to
• http//buckleup.tamu.edu

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The ABCs on Child Safety Seats