Governor’s Child Seat Program

Project 8 Goal Keep children safe by using most appropriate seat for each child’s: – Height – Weight – Development Partnership between Department of Social Services and Department of Public Safety began in 2005

Project 8 Coordinators 1 - Rapid City 2 - Pierre 3 - Aberdeen 4 - Brookings 5 – Sioux Falls

Project 8 Partners 130 Technicians currently certified in SD – 46 Cities represented 56 Partners 10 Instructors 2 Instructor Candidates Other sponsors include State Farm Insurance and March of Dimes

Project 8 Services Offered Presentations Car seat inspections Distribution to needy families Special needs seats

Project 8 Requirements Income eligible families can receive seats: – WIC – Title 19 – Child Care Assistance – Food Stamps – Energy Assistance – TANF

NHTSA’s Four Steps For Kids

Correct Use of Child Restraints: Selection Direction Location Installation Always read both the vehicle owner’s manual and the child restraint owner’s manual!

Project 8 – Types of Seats Available Infant only carriers Convertible seats Forward Facing/Booster seat combinations Booster seats Special needs seats

Why rear facing is important! Increased crash protection: Spreads crash forces along the entire head, neck, and back Protects head, neck, and spinal cord CR absorbs forces of the crash

Infant only carriers Typically 5 – 22 pounds Facing rear of vehicle Never in the front seat Harness slots at or below shoulders May or may not come with a base

Project 8 – Types of Seats Available Infant only carriers Convertible seats Forward Facing/Booster seat combinations Booster seats Special needs seats

Convertible seats-rear facing Can be used rear facing 5 – 30 pounds Never in the front seat 2 seat belt paths Harness slots at or below shoulders

Convertible seats- forward facing Can be used forward facing 20 – 40 pounds Harness slots at or above shoulders 2 seat belt paths Convertible seats-forward facing

Project 8 – Types of Seats Available Infant only carriers Convertible seats Forward Facing/Booster seat combinations Booster seats Special needs seats

Forward Facing/Booster Seats Use after child is at least 20 pounds AND at least 1 year old 20 – 40 pounds with harness 40 – 100 pounds as booster seat Harness slots at or above shoulders

Project 8 – Types of Seats Available Infant only carriers Convertible seats Forward Facing/Booster seat combinations Booster seats Special needs seats

Why use a booster seat? Protects children too large for a CR with harness but too small for a simple seat belt. Increases crash protection from injuries Incorrect belt fit because there is no booster seat Correct belt fit with belt-positioning booster

Booster seats – High Back Recommendation – 40 – 100 pounds High Back is best when there is no head rest Must use lap and shoulder belts

Booster seats –Backless Recommendation – 40 to 80 or 100 pounds Use with head restraint from vehicle Must use lap and shoulder belts

Project 8 – Types of Seats Available Infant only carriers Convertible seats Forward Facing/Booster seat combinations Booster seats Special needs seats

Special Needs Restraints

92% Region 1 – 92% Misuse in 2007 Types of misuse include: – Selection of incorrect seat – Direction seat should face – Location in the vehicle – Installation of both the car seat in vehicle and the child in car seat

Installation guidelines Something on the seat belt must lock to hold car seat securely in place: – Locking latch plate – Retractor locks – either automatically or switches to lockable – Locking clip Vehicles manufactured after 1995 were required to have ability to lock.

Locking latch plates

Retractors Automatic locking retractors – always lock Emergency retractors – will only lock if there is a sudden stop – does not work to install child seats! Switchable retractors – pull seat belt to end and it changes to an Automatic locking retractor. Sample of label on seatbelt for the switchable retractor.

Locking clips Must be used if nothing else locks on the seat belt Only correct location is close to the latchplate Can be used to prevent tipping of rear facing seats

LATCH LLower AAnchors and TTethers for CHChildren

LATCH Components Lower anchors – required in 2003 models Top tethers – required in 2001 models

New car seats are LATCH equipped Lower anchors Top tether

Correct installation of car seat Seat belt or LATCH through correct belt path Seat belt or LATCH is locked and securely fastened Child restraint does not move more than 1 inch side to side when checked at seat belt path Tether is used if possible

Correct positioning of child Harness is in correct slot for rear or forward facing Harness is snug – not able to pinch at shoulder Chest clip at armpit level No bulky coats under harness

Common misuses Seat belt not in locked mode Seat belt not tight Wrong belt path Harness not snug Chest clip too low Car seat expired or recalled

Misuse at a glance

For more information Website: Department of Social Services – Melissa Fluckey, state coordinator