Keeping children safe is a priority for parents and caregivers. One way we can do this is by making sure all children are buckled up in the right car seat on every trip.
Your child’s age, height and weight, and the car seat manufacturer’s recommendations all play a role in ensuring your child is in the right seat that fits them correctly. It is also important that the right seat for the child is adjusted and installed properly, which means according to the car seat and vehicle manufacturers’ instructions.
All children in a car seat or booster seat need to be in the back seat, if one is available! The air bags in the front dashboard are designed to protect adults so the force at which they are deployed can harm a child.
Rear Facing seats - Children under 2 years of age and LESS than 40 pounds need to be in a rear-facing seat.
Forward-Facing Car Seats - Children, ages 2 to 4 years and at least 20 pounds can be in a forward-facing car seat. If a child under age 2 is OVER 40 pounds, they should go into a forward-facing seat.
Booster Seats - Children ages 4 to 9 years and at least 40 pounds must use a booster seat. Your child should continue to use a booster seat they can fit properly in a seat belt without a booster seat.
Seat Belts - Can be used by children ages 9 to 18 years if the seat belt fits them properly (your child can sit with the lap belt across the lap and the shoulder belt stays on the shoulder).
It is always best practice is to keep your child in their current seat until they reach the weight and/or height limit of that seat.
To learn more you can go to Child Passenger Safety | Northeast Colorado Health Department or www.codot.gov/safety/carseats/ (carseatscolorado.com)
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