Washington Car Accident

Car Safety Tips In Washington State

A child safety seat may not protect your child in a crash if it isn't used correctly and installed properly in your vehicle. Take a minute to check to be sure...

• Infants and children should always ride in child safety seats approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the U.S. Department of Transportaion.
• Infants who weigh less than 20-22 pounds, OR who are less than one year old, should ride in a safety seat facing the rear of the vehicle to protect the infant's head, neck and back. The seat should be at a 45° semi-reclining angle.
• Never place a rear-facing child safety seat in the front seat where a front mounted passenger air bag is present.
• Children over one year old, weighing between 20 and 40 pounds can ride in the back seat in a forward-facing booster seat with straps. When the child weighs 40 pounds, the straps should be removed. The seat can then be used as a belt positioning booster.
• Children weighing between 40 and 80 pounds (about ages 4-8, or up to 4'9" tall) should ride in a belt positioning booster seat.
• Belt-positioning boosters can only be used with both the lap and shoulder belt across the child. The shoulder belt should be snug against the child's chest, resting across the collar bone. The lap belt should lay low across the child's upper thigh area.
• Booster seats should be used until the child can sit with his/her back against the vehicle seat back cushion, knees bent over the seat cushion edge, and feet on the floor, approximately 4'9".
• All Children age 12 and under should ride properly restrained in the back seat.
• Always read the child seat use and installation instruction manual.
• Read your vehicle owner's manual seat belt and child seat installation section.

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