ChildhoodCarSeats

Spring 2000 Volume Three Number Two

• Unsolved Mysteries: Showing Restraint
—Rules and procedures for child safety seats.

There have been many mind-boggling mysteries throughout history. Among them:

Solving the riddle of the Sphinx.
Unlocking the secret of Rubik's cube.
Unraveling the mystery of putting a child safety seat in your car correctly.

However these mysteries, like most, seem simple once you are shown the answer. Mastering the child safety seat is no different. It is estimated that each year about 1,800 children under age 14 are killed in motor vehicle accidents and over 280,000 are injured. Many of these children were strapped into their child safety seats—however they were strapped incorrectly. At child safety checkpoints, safety experts estimate that up to 95 percent of car seats are being improperly used. It is assumed that using safety seats correctly could have prevented 70 percent of deaths and injuries.

Children's car seats come in different shapes and sizes. All safety seats for children under 50 pounds must meet Federal Safety Standard 213 which is a strict set of guidelines, including crash testing.

You can keep you child safe by:

Purchasing the right safety seat for your child according to your child's age, height and weight.
Installing the seat correctly in the preferred seat position and facing the right direction.
Strapping your child in correctly.
Using a child safety seat every time your child rides in a moving vehicle.

There are several types of car seats you can buy depending on your child's age and weight.

Infant seats

These can be used from birth to around twenty pounds.
They are made to be rear-facing only.
When your child's head comes within one inch of the top of the carseat, it's time to move to a rear-facing convertible seat.
Your safety seat should be certified as safe for use in a car.

Convertible seats

These can face either forward or back.
Your child should remain rear facing until the child is both one year and 20 pounds.
Check for maximum weight certification; many convertible seats are only certified up to 22 pounds while there are some on the market tested to 30 to 35 lbs.
When the seat is turned forward, the restraining straps should be at or above your child's shoulders.
A child outgrows this seat when he reaches the weight limit for the seat, his ears reach the top of the seat or when his shoulders are above the top restraining strap slots.

Forward-facing seats

These are forward-facing only.
They are not recommended for children less than one year old.
A child outgrows this seat when he reaches the weight limit for the seat, his ears reach the top of the seat or when his shoulders are above the top restraining strap slots.

Built-in seats

Some vehicles come equipped with built-in child safety seats.
These function like forward-facing seats.
Weight limits may very according to manufacturer.

Booster seats

Booster seats can be used after a child has outgrown convertible or forward-facing seats.
A belt-positioning booster is a chair-like device that elevates a child's body to a position where a lap-shoulder belt fits securely.
A shield-booster is a chair with a movable shield or bar that locks into position in front of a child that is used when only a lap belt is available.

Seat belts

Car safety belts are manufactured with the adult body in mind. Most children do not fit in seat belts properly until they are 8 to 10 years old and approximately 4 feet 10 inches tall. A child can wear a seat belt if:

A child's back and buttocks are flat against the car seat.
A child's knees are able to bend over the edge of the seat.
The shoulder harness comes across the shoulder and chest, not neck.
The lap belt comes over a child's hips and pelvis; not his abdomen.
Your child is mature enough to sit still and maintain his position throughout an entire ride.

A few final reminders:

Always use the seat that is appropriate for your child's size, weight and the type of vehicle you drive.
Read the instructions that come with your safety seat.
If your community offers a safety seat clinic, attend.
Never let a child less than 12 years old sit in front of an air bag.
Change from an infant seat to a convertible seat at 20 pounds or when the top of your child's head is near the top of the seat.
Keep infants rear-facing as long as possible, at least until they are both one year and 20 pounds.
Change to a booster seat around 40 pounds.
Change to a lap/shoulder belt at around 8 years and 60 to 80 pounds.
Never put more than one child in a single belt.
Never position the shoulder harness behind your child or under his arm.
Never use books or pillows to help position a child behind a safety belt.

—Gregg Savitt MD


Spring 2000 Volume Three Number Two • Unsolved Mysteries: Showing Restraint —Rules and procedures for child safety seats. There have been many mind-boggling mysteries throughout history. Among them: Solving the riddle of the Sphinx. Unlocking the secret of Rubik's cube. Unraveling the mystery of putting a child safety seat in your car correctly. However these mysteries, like most, seem simple once you are shown the answer. Mastering the child safety seat is no different. It is estimated that each year about 1,800 children under age 14 are killed in motor vehicle accidents and over 280,000 are injured. Many of these children were strapped into their child safety seats—however they were strapped incorrectly. At child safety checkpoints, safety experts estimate that up to 95 percent of car seats are being improperly used. It is assumed that using safety seats correctly could have prevented 70 percent of deaths and injuries. Children's car seats come in different shapes and sizes. All safety seats for children under 50 pounds must meet Federal Safety Standard 213 which is a strict set of guidelines, including crash testing. You can keep you child safe by: Purchasing the right safety seat for your child according to your child's age, height and weight. Installing the seat correctly in the preferred seat position and facing the right direction. Strapping your child in correctly. Using a child safety seat every time your child rides in a moving vehicle. There are several types of car seats you can buy depending on your child's age and weight. Infant seats These can be used from birth to around twenty pounds. They are made to be rear-facing only. When your child's head comes within one inch of the top of the carseat, it's time to move to a rear-facing convertible seat. Your safety seat should be certified as safe for use in a car. Convertible seats These can face either forward or back. Your child should remain rear facing until the child is both one year and 20 pounds. Check for maximum weight certification; many convertible seats are only certified up to 22 pounds while there are some on the market tested to 30 to 35 lbs. When the seat is turned forward, the restraining straps should be at or above your child's shoulders. A child outgrows this seat when he reaches the weight limit for the seat, his ears reach the top of the seat or when his shoulders are above the top restraining strap slots. Forward-facing seats These are forward-facing only. They are not recommended for children less than one year old. A child outgrows this seat when he reaches the weight limit for the seat, his ears reach the top of the seat or when his shoulders are above the top restraining strap slots. Built-in seats Some vehicles come equipped with built-in child safety seats. These function like forward-facing seats. Weight limits may very according to manufacturer. Booster seats Booster seats can be used after a child has outgrown convertible or forward-facing seats. A belt-positioning booster is a chair-like device that elevates a child's body to a position where a lap-shoulder belt fits securely. A shield-booster is a chair with a movable shield or bar that locks into position in front of a child that is used when only a lap belt is available. Seat belts Car safety belts are manufactured with the adult body in mind. Most children do not fit in seat belts properly until they are 8 to 10 years old and approximately 4 feet 10 inches tall. A child can wear a seat belt if: A child's back and buttocks are flat against the car seat. A child's knees are able to bend over the edge of the seat. The shoulder harness comes across the shoulder and chest, not neck. The lap belt comes over a child's hips and pelvis; not his abdomen. Your child is mature enough to sit still and maintain his position throughout an entire ride. A few final reminders: Always use the seat that is appropriate for your child's size, weight and the type of vehicle you drive. Read the instructions that come with your safety seat. If your community offers a safety seat clinic, attend. Never let a child less than 12 years old sit in front of an air bag. Change from an infant seat to a convertible seat at 20 pounds or when the top of your child's head is near the top of the seat. Keep infants rear-facing as long as possible, at least until they are both one year and 20 pounds. Change to a booster seat around 40 pounds. Change to a lap/shoulder belt at around 8 years and 60 to 80 pounds. Never put more than one child in a single belt. Never position the shoulder harness behind your child or under his arm. Never use books or pillows to help position a child behind a safety belt. —Gregg Savitt MD