100 Polk County Plaza
Suite 180
Balsam Lake WI 54810
715.485.8500
FAX 715.485.8501

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Child Car Seat Safety
715.485.8500

Proper Child Safety Seat Use - It's the Law!

Children must be properly restrained in an age and size appropriate safety seat or booster seat. The law includes the following four-step progression for effective child safety protection in vehicles. All children under age 14 years should ride in the back seat.

Rear-facing child safety seat in the back seat is required when the child:

• Is less than 1 year old or

• Weighs less than 20 pounds

• Harness straps should be at or below shoulder level

It is highly recommended to keep child rear facing until 2 years of age to protect their head, neck and spine.

Forward-facing child safety seat in the back seat is required when the child:

• Is at least 1 year old but less than 4 years old and

• Weighs at least 20 pounds but less than 40 pounds

• Harness straps should be at or above shoulder level

It is currently recommended that child remain in a forward facing child restraint until they reach top weight or height allowed.

Booster seat is required when the child:

• Is at least 4 years old but less than 8 years old and

• Weighs at least 40 pounds but less than 80 pounds and

• Is not 57 inches (4 feet, 9 inches) or taller

• Use both the shoulder and lap belt to secure the seat

• Lap belt should fit low and tight across the lap/upper thigh area and shoulder belt should fit snuggly crossing the chest and shoulder to avoid abdominal injury

It is currently recommended to use a booster seat until the upper limits of the booster seat is reached.

Safety belt is required when the child:

• Is 8 years old or older or

• Weighs 80 pounds or more or

• Is 57 inches or taller

It is currently recommended to switch to seat belt only if the belt fits properly.

• Back and hips against seat back

• Knees fit easily over front edge of seat

• Feet are flat on the floor

Links

www.wcpsa.com
www.nhtsa.dot.gov