Ride Right at Every Age and Every Stage
Proper use of your child’s car seat can mean the difference between life and death. Tragedy can be avoided by following these simple rules:
- Use the vehicle seat belt or lower anchors to install car seats. Do not use both unless allowed by both the car seat manufacturer and the vehicle owner’s manual.
- Car seats should be installed snugly and not move more than one inch when checked at the belt path.
- Harness straps should be tight enough so that webbing cannot be pinched at the shoulders.
- Carefully read and follow the installation instructions for all car seats.
- Consult your vehicle owner’s manual for seat belt and car seat installation information.
- Contact your car seat manufacturer with any questions regarding your seat.
- Children under the age of 13 should ride in the back seat.
A rear-facing car seat is the best seat for your young child to use. It has a harness which, in the event of a crash, cradles your child and moves with them to reduce the stress to the child’s fragile neck and spinal cord.
Keep Children Rear-Facing as long as possible.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends parents should keep children rear-facing as long as they fit within the height and/or weight limits set by the manufacturer of their car safety seat.
- Rear-facing car seats should never be placed in front of an active air bag.
- Recline rear-facing seats at a 30-45° angle, according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Position the harness straps at or below the shoulders and ensure a snug fit.
- Adjust the chest clip to the armpit level.
- The child’s head should be more than 1” below the top of the car seat or according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- It’s okay for the child’s feet to touch the vehicle seat.
- Per Oklahoma law, children must be in a rear-facing car seat until at least 2 years of age, or until the child reaches the height or weight limit of the car seat.
A forward-facing car seat has a harness and tether that limits your child’s forward movement during a crash.
- Children who are at least 2 years of age, or have outgrown the height and/or weight limits for their rear-facing car seat, should be placed in a forward-facing car seat.
- Position the harness straps at or above the shoulders and ensure a snug fit.
- Adjust the chest clip to the armpit level.
- If a forward-facing car seat is installed with lower anchors, a top tether must be used. Always use top tethers, when available, to install forward-facing car seats.
- Keep children in a 5-point harness as long as possible, to the upper height and/or weight limits of the car seat.
- Children under 4 years old but over 40 lbs. would benefit from using a car seat with a higher weight limit harness.
- Per Oklahoma law, children must be in a car seat with a harness until at least 4 years of age.
A booster seat positions the seat belt so that it fits properly over the stronger parts of your child’s body.
- Children who are at least 4 years of age and have outgrown the harness for their forward-facing car seat should ride in a belt-positioning booster seat.
- Booster seats should only be used with lap/shoulder belts and never with a lap-only seat belt.
- The lap belt should fit snugly across the upper thighs/hips – not the belly.
- The shoulder belt should fit snugly against the chest, resting across the shoulder – not the neck.
- Children should never place the seat belt under their arm or behind their back.
- Booster seats are typically recommended for children who are at least 4 years old and who weigh a minimum of 40 lbs.
- Per Oklahoma law, children must be in a car seat or booster seat until at least 8 years of age unless the child is taller than 4’9”.
A seat belt should lie across the upper thighs and be snug across the shoulder and chest to restrain the child safely in a crash.
A child is ready to ride with only a lap and shoulder seat belt when they are at least 8 years of age and you can answer “yes” to all the following:
- Can my child’s knees bend over the front of the vehicle seat?
- Is the lap portion of the seat belt low and across the hips, not across the belly?
- Does the seat belt rest on the child’s shoulder and not their neck?
- Do the child’s feet rest flat on the floor when the child’s back is against the vehicle seat back?
- Can the child maintain that correct position for the entire ride?
If you answered “no” to any of the above, use a booster seat.
Children 8 years of age and older (or taller than 4’9”) should always be restrained in a seat belt.
Children under the age of 13 should ride in the back seat.
