CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY INFORMATION
Children should be secured in a car seat or seatbelt depending on their age and weight. All children under 4 years of age are required by Michigan law to be in child seat in front or rear seating positions. Children ages 4-15 must wear a safety belt in all seating positions. It is the driver’s responsibility to make sure the children are properly secured and he/she may be ticketed if they are not. The following are “Child Seat Use Recommendations” from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, found at www.nhtsa.gov.
INFANTS - birth to at least 1 year and at least 20 lbs:
a Use rear facing child seats in the back seat of the vehicle
a Secure child seat tightly in the vehicle using a safety belt or the LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children)
a Recline child seat to approximately a 45-degree angle
a Harness straps/slots at or below the child’s shoulder level
a Harness straps snug on child
a Harness clip at armpit level
TODDLERS – Older than 1 years and more than 20 lbs:
a Use rear or forward facing child seat
a Secure child seat tightly in the vehicle using a safety belt or the LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children)
a Harness straps/slots at or above child’s shoulders depending on whether the seat is rear or forward facing. For rear facing seats, the straps should be in the slots so they are even with or below child’s shoulders. For forward facing seats, the straps should be in the slots so they are even with or above child’s shoulders.
a Harness straps snug on child
a Harness clip at armpit level
BOOSTER SEATS – children over 40 lbs, unless 4’9” tall:
a Booster seats should be used once the child is at least 40 pounds and until he/she is between 80-100 pounds.
a Booster seats do not use harnesses and are not installed tightly.
a Use a backless belt-positioning booster (BPB) seat or high back BPB in forward facing position
a BPB must be used with adult lap and shoulder belt
a Shoulder belt should cross-center of chest and shoulder. NEVER place the shoulder belt under the child’s arm or behind the child’s back
a Lap-belt should lie low across the lap/upper thigh area and not over the stomach
Additional Tips:
a Rear-facing child seats should not be in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger-side air bag that does not have an on/off switch.
a The back seat is the safest place for children 12 and under.
a Booster seats are recommended for children from about age 4 and 40 pounds to age 8, unless 4’9”.
a Children should not be boosted with pillows, books, or towels. These things will not protect a child in a crash.
a Check the child seat manufacturer’s guidelines to determine whether to replace a child seat that has been involved in a traffic crash.
a A tight fit is essential – the child seat should not move more than one inch from side to side or forward.
a The harness should be snug on the child’s body with no slack.
For additional questions or to schedule a consultation to have your child seat installed or checked please contact Firefighter Jeff Kujawa at (734) 484-1996 OR E-Mail Firefighter Jeff Kujawa at Jkujawa@Superior-Twp.Org
