Injury Prevention

Child Passenger Safety Information - Infants (Birth to 1 Year)

• Infants should ride rear facing until they are at least 1 year-old and weigh at least 20 pounds, to reduce the risk of cervical spine injury in the event of a crash. To protect a rear-facing child's head from injury, the top of his/her head should be at least an inch from the top of the child safety seat's shell
• Use a rear-facing child safety seat (infant-only or convertible)
• Never use a rear-facing child seat in a seating position with an active frontal air bag. The force of a deploying air bag could result in serious injury or death
• Children ages 12 and under should ride properly restrained in the back seat, even if there is no air bag. In general, the back seat is much safer than the front seat
• Route the harness straps according to the manufacturer instructions, generally at or slightly below shoulder level for rear-facing children
• Adjust the harnesses so they are snug and flat against the child's body and position the harness clip at armpit level. An adult should not be able to fit more than one finger comfortably between the child's collarbone and the harness
• If your child safety seat has a handle, follow the manufacturer instructions for positioning it. Most manufacturers state that handles should be kept in the down position during transport
• Recline the rear-facing child safety seat enough so your child's head can rest flat against the child safety seat's shell. A firmly rolled towel or other soft material may help. Never recline the child safety seat flatter than 45 degrees
• Be careful about thick clothing or padding between the child and the child safety seat or harnesses. Such material could compress in a crash, introducing slack and affecting the child safety seat's protection
• Read both the child safety seat instructions and the vehicle's owner’s manual for correct use and installation of your child safety seat

Courtesy of Safe Kids – www.usa.safekids.org

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