Child Seat Safety Presented by Bryant Nowlin Lynchburg Police Department

Why Are We Here? To promote Child Seat Safety To help with the proper selection of a child seat for a child To help with the proper use of child seats To help with the decision of when to go with using a vehicle safety belt

Do child Safety Seats Work? When used correctly they are up to: 71% effective in preventing fatalities. 69% effective in reducing need for hospitalization. 50% effective in preventing minor injuries.

The facts of Child Seat Use Motor Vehicle Crashes are the leading cause of death for children of every age from 0 to 14 years old. An average of 7 children ages 0 – 15 years old were killed and 830 were injured each day in crashes in the U.S. during An average of 5 children ages 0 – 15 were killed and 646 were injured in 2004.

The Facts of Child Seat Safety Although the number of deaths and injuries went down. The number unrestrained or improperly restrained children 4 and older went up.

The Facts of Child Seat Safety During ,859 children ages 0 – 15 were killed in passenger vehicles. 53% were unrestrained (breakdown of group) (breakdown of group) 36% - 0 to 4 years old 36% - 0 to 4 years old 52% - 5 to 9 years old 52% - 5 to 9 years old 63% -10 to 15 years old 63% -10 to 15 years old

The Facts of Child Seat Safety In 2004, there were 235,912 children 0 – 15 were injured in passenger vehicle crashes. (Breakdown of Group) (Breakdown of Group) 56,354 injured 0 – 4 years old 65,860 injured 5 – 9 years old 113,698 injured 10 – 15 years old

The Facts of Child Seat Safety Data shows that the majority of the occupants killed or injured were unrestrained or improperly restrained.

The Facts of Child Seat Safety Use of child restraints in vehicles falls from 91% to 69% when children reach age 4. An estimated 80 – 90% of children who should be using a booster seat are not. More than 40% of child passengers under the age 8 who die or suffer incapacitating injuries in crashes were completely unrestrained.

The Facts of Child Seat Safety Nationwide the use of Child Safety Seats is up over 90%. The national average for misuse of Child Safety Seats is up over 95% The Average for misuse of Child Safety Seats in the Lynchburg area is 98%

Virginia’s Child Restraint Law (Code of Virginia Article 13 - Section B) Effective July 1, 2007: Children age 8 through age 15 (until age 16) Child restraints are required for children through the age of seven. The law applies to anyone (i.e. parents, grandparents, babysitters, friends) who provides transportation for a child in any vehicle manufactured after January 1, Public transportation (taxis, buses), regulation school buses, and farm vehicles are exempted.

Virginia’s Child Restraint Law (Code of Virginia Article 13 - Section B) Effective July 1, 2007: Children age 8 through age 15 (until age 16) Child restraints are required for children through the age of seven. The law applies to anyone (i.e. parents, grandparents, babysitters, friends) who provides transportation for a child in any vehicle manufactured after January 1, Public transportation (taxis, buses), regulation school buses, and farm vehicles are exempted.

Child Restraint Law (Code of Virginia Article 13 - Section A) Major requirements of Virginia's Child Restraint Law:  Effective July 1, 2007: Child restraint devices are required for children through the age of seven (until 8 th birthday).  Child restraint devices must be properly used and meet standards adopted by the United States Department of Transportation.

Child Restraint Law The safety seat law is primary enforcement no other violation need be committed prior to ticketing for failure to have a child in an approved seat. A $50 civil penalty fine is assessed for failure to have a child in a safety seat (1 st Offense), (2 nd or subsequence offenses up to $ 500 per violation). A $20 civil penalty fine is assessed when persons transporting a child exempted due to medical reasons do not carry a written statement of the exemption. All fines collected go into a special fund to purchase safety seats for low-income families.

Child Restraint Law Effective July 1, 2007: Rear-facing child restraint devices must be placed in the back seat of a vehicle. In the event the vehicle does not have a back seat, the child restraint device may be placed in the front passenger seat only if the vehicle is either not equipped with a passenger side airbag, an automatic shut off or pressure switch or the passenger side airbag has been deactivated.

Child Restraint Law An infant in a rear-facing child restraint should NEVER be positioned in the path of a frontal air bag. Air bags can cause serious injury or death to children, especially infants in rear-facing child seats.

Choosing the Correct Seat Things to consider when choosing a child seat are: What type seat should I get? What is the height & weight of the Child Will it fit your vehicle? Is the seat new or used? Will the seat be used correctly every time?

Types of Child Seats Infant Carriers: Are for rear-facing infants from birth to pounds. There are some models that now have higher weight ranges.

Types of Child Seats Convertible Seats: Can be used rear- facing or forward facing (check label on seat for maximum weigh limits). The Seats have a internal harness system to hold the child in place.

Types of Child Seats Toddler Seats: Are forward-facing only and use an internal harness system like convertible seats. Some models can be converted from a toddler seat to a booster seat.

Types of Child Seats Booster Seats: Come in 2 types (High Back & Low/Backless). Both types are used for older children when they have reached the limit for the internal harness system of their Toddler seat or Convertible seat. Most models can be used until the Child large enough to use a standard vehicle lap and shoulder belt system.

How does Height & Weight affect choosing a Seat? All child safety seats are manufactured and designed for specific children’s height & weight. Each new seat will have a label on it giving the minimum and maximum height & weight. Child Safety seats with internal harnesses will give you the maximum weight that the manufacturer will guarantee the safety of the seat.

Child Safety Seats & Your Car NOT EVERY CHILD SAFETY SEAT WILL FIT IN YOUR CAR! Bigger is not always better. When buying a new seat some places will let you take the seat out to your car to see if it can properly be installed in your car before you take it home (saving you from having to bring it back). Always follow the installation instructions for the seat. REMEMBER IF IT DOEN’T FIT DON’T FORCE IT!

New vs. Used Safety Seats There is nothing wrong with using a used Child Safety seat if: 1. You know the history of the seat. 1. You know the history of the seat. 2. It Has never been in a serious car crash. 2. It Has never been in a serious car crash. 3. The seat has all of the labels required 3. The seat has all of the labels required by federal law on it. by federal law on it. 4. The seat is less than 6 years old. 4. The seat is less than 6 years old. 5. See If the seat on the recall list & if so; 5. See If the seat on the recall list & if so; what for ? what for ?

New vs. Used Safety Seats All new child safety seats should have a registration card with it. All new Child Safety sold in the U.S. should have labels on it giving: 1. The date of manufacture 1. The date of manufacture 2. Model number 2. Model number 3. Expiration date of the seat (may be 3. Expiration date of the seat (may be stamped into the seat). stamped into the seat).

Using The Seat The seat should be one that fits your car. The Seat should be one fits your child. The Seat should be one that will be used correctly EVERYTIME.

Installation of Child Safety Seats Proper installation of a child safety seat will vary depending on whether the seat will be: Rear Facing Forward Facing Using LATCH (Forward or Rear Facing)

Installation of Child Safety Seats When secured, the seat should move no more than 1 inch side to side or front to back. ALWAYS check for tightness at the belt path being used. Thick towels or blankets should no be used to place under seats (They may compress and leave the seat belt or LATCH straps loose).

Installation of Child Safety Seats Rear Facing Seats (Infant Carrier / Convertible): The back of the seat should be positioned no more than 45 degree angle (May require a noodle or rolled towel to lift the base of the seat into the correct position. Always check manual for correct angle. If the seat has an angle indicator use it to insure proper angle. Improper angle of seat (too upright) could cut off the child’s airway. The belt path going through bottom of the seat should be used whether using seat belt or LATCH (unless otherwise recommended by the manufacturer).

Installation of Child Safety Seats Ensure that the Harness straps are at or below the rear facing child’s shoulders. Ensure that the harness clip is at the child’s armpits. If it is a small child you use rolled up blankets around the child to help positioning and wash cloths to fill in around the crotch area of the seat (but not under the child). It is recommended to keep the child rear facing to the maximum limits of the restraint.

Installation of Child Safety Seats Forward Facing (Convertible/ Toddler): Should be at least 80% on the seat (unless otherwise recommended by the manufacturer). Most have a weight limit on the internal harness of 40 pounds (Seats with higher weight limits are available). Harness straps should be at or above the shoulders and should be snug and straight. Harness clip should be at arm pit level

Installation of Child Safety Seats Forward Facing (Tray Shield seats): Tray shield of the seat should be positioned correctly Shouldn’t be used with smaller children will leave space between the child and harness straps allowing child to be thrown out. Ensure harness clip is secure and at arm pit level.

Installation of Child Safety Seats Booster Seats: (High Back/Low or No Back) (High Back/Low or No Back) Both Seat need to be used with a lap and shoulder belt. Both Seat need to be used with a lap and shoulder belt. Seat is used to bring child into the correct position so that lap and shoulder belt fits the child. Seat is used to bring child into the correct position so that lap and shoulder belt fits the child. Make sure shoulder belt goes over the child’s shoulder correctly. Make sure shoulder belt goes over the child’s shoulder correctly.

Installation of Child Safety Seats Location of seat in vehicles: 1. Back seat is best for all children. 1. Back seat is best for all children. 2. Center rear is safest location (usually). 2. Center rear is safest location (usually). 3. Sometimes front seat is a better option. 3. Sometimes front seat is a better option. 4. If a child has to be placed in the front seat 4. If a child has to be placed in the front seat move back as far as possible. move back as far as possible. 5. NEVER PLACE REAR FACING 5. NEVER PLACE REAR FACING INFANT IN FRONT OF AN AIR BAG. INFANT IN FRONT OF AN AIR BAG.

Installation of Child Safety Seats (CSS) Safest Location Considerations: 1. Vehicle seat design 1. Vehicle seat design 2. Type of safety belt system or LATCH. 2. Type of safety belt system or LATCH. 3. Needs of all passengers 3. Needs of all passengers (children & adults). (children & adults).

Installation of Child Safety Seats (CSS) Safest Location Considerations Contd. 4. Space Requirements 4. Space Requirements (size of seat & car). (size of seat & car). 5. Seat slopes 5. Seat slopes 6. Tether strap length & location. 6. Tether strap length & location.

How to Install properly Install a CSS Make sure that the Harness straps a configured in the correct slots. Decide whether you are using the seatbelt or LATCH for the installation. Identify the position where the CSS will go. Place the restraint the seat and run the seatbelt or LATCH belt through the belt path (NEVER USE BOTH unless recommended by the manufacturer).

Proper Installation Continued: Buckle the seatbelt to the buckle or attach the LATCH hooks to the LATCH anchors. Push down on the CSS and compress the vehicle seat (taking the air out of the seat). If using the seatbelt with a switchable retractor, switch the seatbelt retractor to an automatic mode. Tighten the seatbelt and feed the extra belt back to the retractor. Then release the CSS.

Proper Installation Continued If you have a seat belt that does not have a switchable retractor you may a seat belt with a locking latchplate or a free sliding latchplate. If it is a locking latchplate you will connect it to the buckle push down on the seat and pull the slack out of the belt. If it is a free sliding latchplate does not lock at the retractor you may have to use a locking clip.

Proper Installation continued: If using the LATCH system: Push down on the CSS to take the air out of the vehicle seat. Tighten the LATCH belt and release the CSS.

When Can I Use Seat Belts? Lap and Shoulder belts are designed for adults ( height - 4’9”, weight -120 lbs.) and should not be used by children until they reach that height or the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations. The weight of children use belts maybe less than 120 lbs. Lap belts only should never be used to secure children because of the possibility of causing injuries in a crash ( No upper body protection).

What Do if I Have only Lap Belts in my Car ? If you have only lap belts in you car use may want to consider using a Child Restraint Vest. The vest comes in different models and sizes to fit different size children. Most vest are designed with a 5 point harness system.

Can I Place my Child in Front of an Air Bag? Never place a rear facing Infant in front of an air bag unless the airbag has been switched off or has a weight sensor. Forward facing children should be moved as far back away from the air bag as possible.

Aftermarket Products Aftermarket products that did not come with the child safety should not be used. They are used with the CSS or attached to the seatbelt to hold the CSS in place. These items are not regulated or tested by NHTSA, CSS or vehicle manufacturers. None of the products are certified for use.

Aftermarket Products continued: Use of these products on the restraint are not recommended unless made CSS manufacture for use on that restraint. VA state law states that it is illegal for any aftermarket product to be attached to the seatbelt of a car unless certified by NHTSA.

Questions ?

Contact for more information: Bryant Nowlin Lynchburg Police Department / Kimberly Maddox Safe Kids of Central VA

Other Contacts Tobey Anne Allen (Virginia Department of Health) Child Safety Seat Inspections Coordinator (804)

Other Contacts Margaret Younger Lynchburg Sheriff’s Office (434) Jennifer Collins Lynchburg Fire Department Lynchburg Police Department /