Child seat safety important to kids of all ages Published July 18, 2007 By Staff Sgt. Darrell Leatherman 82nd Training Wing Safety Office SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Car crashes remain the number one killer of children ages 3 to 14 in the United States. Safe Kids Buckle Up, the largest program of Safe Kids Worldwide, teaches parents and caregivers to use the right safety gear for their kids in their vehicles on every ride. They give four steps to follow for child seat safety, depending on a child's age and weight. Step one: Infants Use a rear-facing car seat to at least 1-year-old and 20 pounds. Use your rear-facing car seat longer if the seat has higher weight and height limits. Take the next step to a forward-facing car seat when your child is at least 1-year-old and you answer "yes" to either of the following questions: · Does your child exceed the car seat's rear-facing height and weight limits? · Is your child's head within one inch of the car seat top? Step two: Toddlers Use a forward-facing car seat, convertible or combo seat, until the harness no longer fits. Take the next step to a booster seat when you answer "yes" to any of these questions: · Does your child exceed the car seat's height and weight limits? · Are your child's shoulders above the car seat's top harness slots? · Are the tops of your child's ears above the car seat? Step three: Booster seats Use a booster seat with the vehicle lap and shoulder safety belts until your child passes the Safety Belt Fit Test. Take the next step to the safety belt when you answer "yes" to these questions: · Does your child exceed the booster seat's height and weight limits? · Does your child pass the Safety Belt Fit Test in all vehicles used? The Safety Belt Fit Test consists of four questions: 1. Have your child sit all the way back on the vehicle seat. Does his or her knees bend at the front edge of the seat? If they bend naturally, go to question two. If they don't, return to the booster seat. 2. Buckle the lap and shoulder belt. Be sure the lap belt rests on the upper legs or hips. If it does, go to question three. If it rests on the stomach, return to the booster seat. 3. Be sure the shoulder belt rests on the shoulder or collarbone. If it does, go to question four. If it's on the face or neck, return to the booster seat. Never put the shoulder belt under the child's arm or behind the child's back. 4. Check whether your child maintains the correct seating position for as long as you are in the car. If your child slouches or shifts positions so the safety belt touches the face, neck or stomach, return your child to the booster seat. Step four: Safety belts Once your child passes the Safety Belt Fit Test, require him or her to use safety belts in a back seat in every vehicle on every ride, whether or not you are there. A lap and shoulder belt provides the best protection to your child and helps him or her to maintain the correct seating position. (Information courtesy of Safe Kids Worldwide)