CHILD SAFETY SEATS
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 14 years and younger. Many of these deaths could be stopped if children were traveling in a properly installed and operated child safety seat. Below are some tips and installation items you should remember if your child is using one of these seats.
Children under the age of 4 years old must be restrained in a federally approved child safety seat.
Children less than 4 years old but weighing more than 40 pounds may be restrained in a booster seat with a lap shoulder belt.
Children ages 4, 5 and 6 must be properly restrained in a appropriate child restraint system. It should meet the child's height and weight recommendations according to the child restraint manufacturer.
The safest place to install a car seat is usually the center of the back seat.
fasten the harness retaining clip at armpit level.
Keep harness straps snug. (you should be able to slip one finger between the harness straps and the child's collar bone)
Fasten the seat belt tightly and make sure the car seat cannot move more than one inch forward or side wards. It is okay for the top of as rear-facing seat to tip up toward the back of the vehicle.
For cars with leather seats, place a thin rubberized pad, like a shelf liner, between the leather seats and the car seat to reduce slippage.
Children under the age of 12 years old should ride in the rear seat away from airbags.
Children under the age of 16 years riding in the back seat of a vehicle must wear a seat belt.
The West Seneca Police Department currently has officers that "AAA" certified "Child Safety Seat Inspectors". You can contact our Traffic Enforcement Unit at 674-2280 and set up an appointment to have your installation checked for safety and compliance.
For more detailed information on the installation and use of Child Safety Seats please utilize the link to the New York DMV Safety Website below.
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