Child Passenger Safety
Infants
Infant's shouts be in a rear-facing car seat from birth until they are approximately 2 years old. Keep the child in a rear-facing position as long as possible to better protect their head, neck and back. There are 2 types of rear-facing seats and they are as follows:
- Infant seats - face the back of the car and may include a base.
- Convertible seats - face the back of the car. When the child reaches a specified weight and height, the convertible seat then turns around to face the front.
Check to make sure:
- Your child meets the height/weight limits.
- The harness straps are at or below your child's shoulders and snug.
- The retainer clip on the harness is at the armpit level.
- The car seat is buckled in tight and does not move from side to side more than 1 inch.
- The car seat leans back at a 30-45 degree angle. Every rear-facing car seat has an angle indicator.
Toddlers
Toddlers 2 years of age or older should be in a forward-facing car seat. Keep children in a rear-facing position as long as possible, they are safest that way. There are 2 types of forward-facing seats and they are as follows:
- Convertible seats - become forward-facing after the child reaches the highest weight/height allowed in the rear-facing position.
- Combination seats - always face the front of the car. The harness straps keep your child safe until a certain weight and height. Then, the harness straps are removed and the seat becomes a booster seat (use with a seat belt).
Check to make sure:
- Your child meets the height/weight limits.
- The harness straps are at or above your child's shoulders and snug.
- The retainer clip on the harness is at the armpit level.
- The car seat is buckled in tight and does not move from side to side more than 1 inch.
- The car seat sits upright.
Young Kids
Young kids should be in booster seats when they are younger than 8 years old and approximately 40 pounds. Keep children in a harness as long as possible; they are safest that way. There are 2 types of booster seats and they are as follows:
- High -Back Booster Seats - include a head rest and should strap guides on the sides.
- No-Back Booster Seats - do not include a head rest. Your car or truck must have a head rest that can adjust to the level of your child's head.
Check to make sure:
- Your child meets the height/weight limits.
- To always use a lap/shoulder seat belt with a booster seat.
- The lap part of the lap/shoulder belt lies on the child's hips, not the stomach.
- The shoulder strap crosses the shoulder and chest, not the neck.
Older Kids
Older kids should be in a lap/shoulder belt when they are 8 years old or taller than 4'9". There are 2 types of seat belts.
- Lap Belts - only cross over the hips and do not support the upper body of a child or adult.
- Lap/Shoulder Belts - cross over the shoulder, chest and hips.
Check to make sure:
- A lap/shoudler belt is always used.
- The lap belt crosses at the hips and not the stomach.
- The shoulder strap does not rub the neck.
- Your child sits back in the seat with knees bent over the edge of the seat.
- Your child's feet touch the floor.
- Your child's head is supported by a headrest.
Scheduling An Installation
The Southlake Department of Public Safety Fire Services Division can assist and demonstrate the correct way to install a Child Passenger Seat. Technicians are certified through Safe Kids Worldwide/National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
To schedule an appointment please contact Renni Burt at 817-748-8349 or by email at rburt@ci.southlake.tx.us. The installations are done Monday through Thursday from 7:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. by appointment only.