Appendix M - Post Survey Informational Handout

Appendix M
Post-survey Informational Handout

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Helpful Tips to Keep Kids Safe in the Car

Use the back seat; NEVER put a rear-facing seat in front of an active frontal airbag
Install the seat rear-facing at a 45 degree angle
Put your knee in the seat to install it tightly in the vehicle—there should be less than an inch of movement
If using the vehicle safety belt, you must lock it to keep it tight—refer to instructions for locking
You may use the lower anchor and tether (LATCH) system to install instead; Do not use the safety belt if using the lower anchors
Tighten the harness snugly with the chest clip at armpit level and shoulder straps at or below the shoulders

Rear-Facing Seats: Children should use rear-facing seats in the back seat as long as possible to the rear-facing height and weight
limits for the seat (even up to age 2 or 3). If your seat has a rear-facing weight limit of 22 pounds or less, you should change to a
convertible seat with higher rear-facing limits and keep rear-facing for longer. Leg crowding is expected and okay. It does not cause
harm as long as the child is within the weight and height limits for the seat.
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Put your knee in the seat to install it tightly in the vehicle—there should be less than an inch of movement
If using the vehicle safety belt, you must lock it to keep it tight—refer to instructions for locking
You may use the lower anchor and tether (LATCH) system to install instead; Do not use the safety belt if using the lower anchors
Always use the top tether (positioned tightly) when forward facing
Tighten the harness snugly with the chest clip at armpit level and shoulder straps at or above the shoulders

Forward-Facing Seats with Harnesses: Keep your child rear-facing until the top weight or height limits for the rear-facing
seat. Once top rear-facing limits are reached, use a forward-facing seat with a harness and a tether. Keep your child in a car seat with
a harness until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit for the harness.
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The belt should fit low across the hips, cross the center of the chest, and rest on one shoulder away from the neck and face.
The shoulder belt is just as essential as the lap belt. Never place it behind the back or under the arm.
Be sure to use a high-back booster if the vehicle seat does not have head restraints.

Booster Seats: Use seats with harnesses to the top weight or height limits for the harnesses. Once children outgrow harnesses,
use a booster seat in the back seat until the seat belt fits properly. A booster is often needed until a child is around 4 feet 9 inches
tall. Your child may be about 12 years old before he/she is ready for a seat belt.
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The shoulder belt is just as essential as the lap belt. Never place it behind the back or under the arm.
The back seat is safest until age 13.

Seat Belts: Older children should use a lap-shoulder seat belt in the back seat once they outgrow a booster seat. They have not
outgrown a booster seat until the seat belt fits correctly: (1) The shoulder strap should cross the center of the chest and rest on the
shoulder (not the neck). (2) The lap belt should fit low and snug on the upper thighs (not the stomach). (3) The knees should bend at
the edge of the vehicle seat when sitting all the way back.
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twitter.com/childseatsafety

www.nhtsa.gov/Safety/CPS

Seats and cars vary! Check the seat instructions and vehicle owner’s manual for help specific to your seat, child, & car.
Unrestrained children are 3 times more likely to be injured. Kids are always safest in the back seat!
facebook.com/childpassengersafety