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CMC-Union Safe Communities / Safe Kids Child Passenger Safety Carpooling Safety Information Is Your Child Safe When Carpooling with Others? Click Here to Access SafeKids Carpooling Information Safe Kids - Carpool Safety Checklist & Handout Child Passenger Safety and Related Laws Which seat is best for my child? Make sure the seat fits your child's height and weight, fits your vehicle, and meets federal standards as labeled on seat. Never use second hand seats if the history of the seat is unknown. Never use a seat that is more than 6 years past manufacture date as labeled on the seat.   North Carolina State Law Any child less than 8 years AND less than 80 pounds must be restrained in a proper child restraint device.  The full summary of the state law is available at: www.buckleupnc.org Types of Child Safety Seats Infant Seats For children 0-1 year Always rear facing  Never in front of an airbag Should be installed at a 45degree angle  Straps are threaded through lower slots and are at or below the shoulders  Harness clip should be at armpit level  Straps should be snug against child’s body Seat should be secured in the vehicle with less than 1 inch movement Convertible / Forward- Facing Seats When children are 1 year AND at least 20 lbs  Never in front of an airbag  Straps are threaded through upper slots and are at or above the shoulders  Harness clip should be at armpit level Straps should be snug against child’s body  Seat should be secured in the vehicle with less than 1 inch movement  Children up to 40 lbs Booster Seats For children 40-80 lbs  Never in front of an airbag  Designed to lift the child to fit the vehicle seat belt Shoulder strap diagonally across chest and rests on shoulder  Lap belt across child’s hips and thighs – not across the stomach  Never let the child place the belts under their arms or behind their backs Common Questions How do I get the seat tight enough in the vehicle? When using the vehicle seat belts, use your knee to push the seat into a secure position. What is LATCH? LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. The system allows you to install the seat without using the vehicle seat belts.  Metal anchors in the vehicle are used to secure the seat to the vehicle.  Check the owner’s manual of your vehicle to see if you have the LATCH system. When can my child use the vehicle seat belt? When the child can: Sit against the vehicle seat back with knees bent over the seat  Secure the seat belt over their lap and snugly across their shoulders   Tips to Remember All safety seats are different. Read the installation instructions that come with the seat.  Vehicles are different as well.  Read your vehicles owners manual for other tips specific to your vehicle and safety seat. If the safety seat is more than 6 years old or has been involved in a crash, replace it! All children under age 12 should be properly restrained in the back seat of the vehicle. More information is available at these websites:   www.buckleupnc.org   www.usa.safekids.org   www.nhtsa.dot.gov   www.seatcheck.org   www.safestgeneration.org     Click Here to Download a Copy of These Notes