Car Seat Safety

East Pierce Fire & Rescue offers 
"FREE" Car Seat Inspections

Call 253-863-1800 for an appointment
For more information contact 
Dina Sutherland  dsutherland@eastpiercefire.org

Choosing the Right Restraint

Rear-Facing-Only Infant Restraints
5 lbs. to 20 lbs.

Most infant only restraints are designed for use by infants from 5 lbs to 20 lbs. They MUST always be used so that the child faces the rear of the vehicle, and NEVER in the front seat of a vehicle with an airbag.

Infants should remain rear-facing until they are at least 20 lbs. Best practice is to keep a child rear-facing as long as the seat's maximum weight will allow, even though the child may be over one year. However, an infant's head should not extend beyond the top of the restraint's backrest. Most infant-only restraints can only accommodate infants less than 26 inches in height.

If an infant reaches the height limitation of an infant-only restraint, they must begin using a rear-facing convertible child restraint.

Some convertible child restraints are designed for rear-facing use up to 30 lbs. depending on the length of a child's legs and their height. 

Convertible Child Restraints
5 lbs. to 40 lbs.

Most convertible child restraints are designed for rear-facing use with infants 5 lbs. to 20 lbs. and for forward-facing use with toddlers 20 lbs. to 40 lbs., but NEVER in the front seat of a vehicle with an airbag.

Best practice is to keep a child rear-facing as long as the seat's maximum weight will allow, even though the child may be over one year. 

If the top of the child restraint back is below the top of the toddler's ears or the toddler weighs more than 40 lbs., it is time to move them into a booster seat.

Convertible child restraints are available with three different types of harness systems:

1.

5-point harness system:

Similar to a race car driver's harness, many child care advocates recommend this restraint system because it provides the opportunity for a snugger fit.
2.

3-point harness/overhead shield system:

This car seat has a shield that swings down over your child's head and snaps into place with one click.
3.

3-point harness/T-shield system:

This car seat has a soft "T" shaped shiled that conveniently snaps into the seat shell.

Booster Child Restraints:
30 lbs. to 60 lbs.

All booster child restraints are designed for forward-facing use only. Most booster child restraints are designed for use with children from 30 lbs. to 60 lbs., but NEVER use a booster seat in the front seat of a vehicle with an airbag.

Booster seats are specifically designed for children who have outgrown their convertible child restraint. There are two types of booster child restraint: those with shields and those without shields, which are commonly referred to as belt-positioning boosters.

1.

With shield:

Generally for use 30 lbs. to 40 lbs. with the shield. When used without the shield, a vehicle seat belt with both a lap and shoulder belt MUST be used. Some shielded boosters can be used with the shield up to 60 lbs.. Read the manufacturer's instructions carefully.
2.

Without shield:

Generally the weight limits on these belt-positioning boosters range from 30 lbs. to 60 lbs. They are available with and without a seat back.

Those with a seat back, referred to as high-back boosters, use clips or straps fastened to the top of the booster's seat back to position the vehicle  shoulder belt.

Those without a seat back usually come with a strap and clip to help adjust the vehicle shoulder belt properly.

Belt positioning boosters must be used with a vehicle seat belt that has a lap AND shoulder belt. NEVER use a belt-positioning booster with just the lap belt.

Never use a locking clip with any belt-positioning booster.

Your Child Restraint Must Comply with Federal Standards

To make sure your child restraint complies with current federal standards, always purchase a new  restraint. Purchasing a used restraint is risky. It may be damaged, missing parts, labels and instructions or may not comply with current federal standards.

If a used restraint is your only option, check with the manufacturer to see that it has not been recalled, that it has all its parts and that it meets the following guidelines:

Was made after January 1, 1981. Substantial federal safety standards took effect on that date requiring child restraints to perform well in a simulated 30 mph crash test.

Has a label stating that it conforms to applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

Includes a set of Instructions.

Hasn't been in a crash.

Most manufacturers recommend that child restraints not be used more than six years after the date of manufacture.

 

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