IMPORTANT FACTS

 

REMEMBER -

  • The safest place for any child under the age of 12 is in the back seat, preferably the rear center position (this is not always possibly if there is more than one child)
  • Preferably never place a Forward-Facing Child Safety Seat in front of an airbag, but you can if there is no other choice. In order to do this, you would need to place the vehicle’s seat as far away from the airbag as possible
  • Always remove the child’s coat and excess clothing (we recommend 1 layer of clothing only) to ensure nothing comes between the Child Safety Seat and the child.
  • Every 6.8 minutes a person is killed or injured in a Motor Vehicle Accident in Missouri
  • Properly installed Child Safety Seats can reduce fatal injury by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers.
  • In Missouri ONLY 65% of children are in safety seats and ONLY 68% of adults use seatbelts.
  • Only purchase a Child Safety Seat with a certification label advising that it meets or exceeds the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) 213.
  • Your child should be in a Child Safety Seat until the vehicle’s seat belt fits them properly.
  • The vehicle’s seat belt fits properly if:
    1. The child can sit with their back against the seat and knees bent at the seat’s edge
    2. Lap belt fits across the child’s hips
    3. Shoulder belt fits the child across the center of the body and should not be rubbing the child’s neck

    If your child outgrows his/her Child Safety Seat, but does not fit in the seat belt properly, please purchase a Booster Seat.

    NEVER - Place a Rear-Facing Child Safety Seat in front of and Airbag

    NEVER - Buy a used Child Safety Seat

    NEVER - Use a Child Safety Seat that has been involved in a Motor Vehicle Accident, regardless if it was a minor accident (seat may have defects that you can not detect)

    NEVER - Use a Child Safety Seat that is over 6 years old

    NEVER - Purchase an after market product and place it on or in your Child Safety Seat. After market products may say they have been tested by federal standards, but there are no standards for after market products. After market products are items such as a headrest or a belt positioner. Any excess materials can come between the Child Safety Seat and Child, causing the seat not to work as it was designed to. Instead of using an after market head rest, roll up receiving blankets and place them around the child’s head. If the headrest has not been tested by the manufacturer for use with your child safety seat, then it is NOT safe to use. If the Child Safety Seat comes with a headrest, then it has been tested with that seat and is ok for use.