The Four Stages for Safe Riding
For maximum protection, experts recommend following the four stages of child passenger safety:
Stage 1: Rear-facing car seats. Keep infants rear-facing until a minimum of age 1 AND at least 20 pounds.
Stage 2: Forward-facing car seats. When children outgrow their rear-facing seats, they should ride in forward-facing child safety seats until they reach the upper weight or height limit of the particular seat (usually around age 4 and 40 pounds).
Stage 3: Booster seats. Once children outgrow their forward-facing seat, they should ride in booster seats, in the back seat, until the vehicle seat belts fit properly (usually between ages 4 and 8 or when they are 4’9" tall).
Stage 4: Seat belt use. When children outgrow their booster seats, they can use the adult seat belt in the back seat, if it fits properly (lap belt lays across the upper thighs and shoulder belt across the chest).
State law requires proper car seat restraint use!
A state law that took in 2007 set new rules to promote child passenger safety and require children to be properly restrained in motor vehicles. These rules include:
• Children under 13 years old transported in the back seat where it is practical to do so.
• Children up to their eighth birthday, unless they are 4’9" tall, transported in a child car seat.
The car seat must be used according to the car seat and the vehicle manufacturer’s instructions.
• Vehicles equipped with lap-only seat belts are exempt from the requirement to use a booster seat.
• Children 8-years of age or at least 4’9" who wear a seat belt must use it correctly (not under the arm or be hind the back).
Orcas Fire & Rescue has child safety seats available for a minimal charge. For more information, please call 376-2331 during regular office hours.