Child Safety Seat Guidelines

9 out of 10 child seats are installed incorrectly!

Use a child safety seat that is appropriate for your child's weight and height:

Infants should ride rear-facing until they are one year old AND weigh 20 pounds. Rear-facing infant seats should never be placed in the front seat of a vehicle equipped with airbags. Infants should ride reclined at a 45-degree angle with the carrier handle down. Products purchased separate from the car seat should not be used.

Children weighing 20 to 40 pounds and more than one year old should ride facing forward in a child safety seat.

Children weighing between 40 and up to 80 pounds should be restrained by a lap and shoulder safety belt in a booster seat.

To get a snug fit, put your full weight on the safety seat, pushing it down into the vehicle seat cushion while pulling the safety belt tight. You should not be able to move the child seat front-back/side-side more than one inch when tugging on it.

The safest place in a vehicle is the middle of the back seat.

Replace a safety seat that has been involved in a crash. If you do not know the history of the seat, do not purchase/use the seat (garage sales, resale shops, friends/family).

Always read the child seat manufacturer manual, your vehicle manufacture manual and follow the recommended requirements.

Texas Law: All children up to age 5 and at least 36 inches tall must ride in safety seats. Children ages 5 - 18 must be in a seatbelt anywhere in the vehicle.  All drivers and front seat passengers must use safety belts.

To have your child's safety seat checked for correct installation, contact:

        Safety City                                              325-676-6096

        Texas Department of Public Safety            325-795-4064

        Abilene Fire Station #1                             325-676-6682