HOW TO USE SAFETY SEATS

A properly installed car seat can reduce the risk of serious injury or death by as much as 75%. Please give driving your complete attention and wear your own seatbelt all the time.

Here are a few tips on what kind of car seats to be used :

Infants

Infants require special protection while in a vehicle. All infants should ride rear-facing until they reach at least 1 year of age and weigh at least 20 pounds.

There are 2 types of rear-facing seats: infant-only seats and convertible seats. Convertible seats can be used rear-facing for infants, and then converted to a forward-facing position once the child is old enough (above 1 year).

Use a seat that has a built-in harness and covers the child's upper torso. Make sure your child is safe and secure, and is buckled up right. Infant car seats should rest on a 45-degree angle and move no more than 2.5 cm (1 in.) side-to-side. Harness straps should be slotted at or below the baby's shoulders. You should not be able to fit more than one finger underneath the straps at the child's collarbone.

When your child outgrows the maximum height and weight , you may use a convertible rear-facing seat until your child is ready to be facing forward. Use a rear-facing car seat until:

the baby is at least 9 kilograms (20 lb.)
the baby is one year old.

Toddlers

Your baby can ride facing forward when he/she is one year old, over 9 kg (20 lb.), and can stand.

All forward-facing car seats must use a tether strap. If your vehicle does not have a tether strap in place, contact a dealer and get it installed.

To prevent the car seat from moving forward and causing injury in a collision, it is important to use the tether strap exactly as the manufacturer recommends

To install a forward-facing car seat, fasten the tether strap, and use your body weight to tighten and fasten the seatbelt.

Ensure that the shoulder straps are at or above the child's shoulders. Straps should be snug, with only one finger width between the strap and the child's collarbone.

Pre-school to 8 years old

Booster seats are required for children under the age of eight, weighing more than 18 kg but less than 36 kg (40-80 lbs) and who stand less than 145 cm (4 feet 9 inches) tall. A child can start using a seatbelt once any one of the following criteria is met:

child turns eight years old
child weighs 36 kg (80 lbs)
child is 145 cm (4 feet 9 inches) tall

Youth

Once your child can sit in a vehicle seat-back with legs bent comfortably over the edge of the seat, and with the shoulder belt flat across the shoulder and chest, he/she is ready to move from the booster seat to the vehicle seatbelt.

Make sure the shoulder strap crosses between your child's shoulder and neck (not the face), and the lap belt crosses over the hips (not the stomach).

Till the age of 13, children are safest in the back seat. Never put two children in the same seatbelt or place the shoulder strap behind the child's back.

Tips to keep your child safe and secure

Use the right seat for your child's weight and height.
Kids under 13 , should always ride in the back seat.
Kids should be in a car seat or booster until they can be seated properly in a seatbelt. Proper seatbelt fit is the most important factor.
Keep children away from active air bags.
When you buy a car seat, make sure you have a good return policy in case it doesn't fit .
Avoid used car seats.
Read and keep the instructions that came with your seat handy, and follow the instructions at all times.
Read the manufacturer's manual that come with your car on how to correctly install car safety seats.
If you need help installing your car safety seat, contact a certified Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Technician.
Be sure to secure your child correctly. Make sure harness straps are snug and tight. Use a tether strap with a forward-facing car seat.
Set a good example - always wear your seat belt. Help your child form a lifelong habit of buckling up.

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