Parkside Neighborhood

Child Car Seat Safety

State Law Requires Child Passender Restraints

The Legislature recognizes that many deaths of children under the age of 16 years can be eliminated if they use an appropriate child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt.

By law, it is the responsibility of the driver of the vehicle to ensure that all children under the age of 16 are properly restrained in accordance with the regulations below.

RCW 46.61.687 has been amended. The new regulations are effective July 1, 2002

The "5 Steps for Kids" recommendations are:

1. Rear-facing seats in the back seat from birth to at least one year old and at least 20 pounds, preferebly to 30 pounds.
2. Forward-facing toddler seats in the back seat for children 30 to 40 pounds
3. Booster seats in the back seat in a lap and shoulder belt positoin from 40 pounds until the seat belt fits correctly (usually at least 4'9").
4. Seat belts for children taller than 4'9".
5. All children 12 and under should ride in the back seat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do you recommend not buying a used car seat?

* You don't know the history of the car seat - there is only ONE crash per seat.
* While some resale shops check recall lists, many do not.
* It may be missing parts or the manual.
* The straps may have been laundered incorrectly, compromising the strength of the harness.
* Car seats should not be older than 6 years no matter how well they have been kept.
How do I get my car seat in tight?

Make sure you have read the owner's manual thoroughly and are using the correct path for the seatbelts. Check your vehicle's owner's manual for information on the seatbelts. You may have a locking retractor mode. On some cars, you can pull the seatbelt all the way out and it will lock as it retracts. You can then put your weight on the car seat as it retracts to take up all the slack. Make sure to put your weight on the seat as you install it. Rocking back and forth a little may also help. As you apply weight, pull the slack from the lap portion of the seatbelt. If possible, brace your back against the roof of the vehicle to add downward force. In some cases, a second person is helpful to buckle the belt while the first applies force on the car seat. In some vehicles, you can move the seat back and recline the back of the seat. Do this, then install your car seat. When you have it as tight as you can get it, then move the seat forward and move the seat back upright again. This may help get it even a little tighter, especially for a forward-facing car seat. Make sure you check your seat each time you use it, in case someone else moves the seat back or reclines it. Try a tether for a front-facing seat, and make it tight. You may need a locking-clip or belt-shortening clip. Consult the owner's manual for your vehicle and car seat. Incorrect use of these clips can be very dangerous. Check for tightness at the belt path, it should not move more than 1" side-to-side.

How do I know when my child needs to graduate to a booster seat?

* The upper weight limit of the child car seat is reached (often 40 lbs.);
* Your child's shoulders are higher than the top strap slots on the child car seat;
* The middle of your child's ears are higher than the back of the child car seat.

Links

Child Car Seat Safety