Failure to read and carefully follow the installation instructions included with the car seat as well as those in the vehicle owner’s manual can lead to incorrect installation, exposing child passengers to grave risk of serious injury or death in a crash. All 50 states, the District of Columbia and all U.S. territories have laws requiring children to be restrained riding in cars. In Illinois, children are required to ride in an appropriate car seat or booster seat until age eight. 4 Steps to Safety For maximum child passenger safety protection, parents and caregivers should visit their local inspection station and refer to the following guidelines for determining which restraint system is best suited to protect children based on their age and size: Rear-Facing Seats: In the back seat from birth to the maximum height and weight limit of the seat. Recommended up to two years old, but at a minimum age of one and 20 pounds. Forward-Facing Seats: In the back seat when the child has reached the maximum height or weight limit of the rear-facing seat to about age four and 40-65 pounds. Booster Seats: In the back seat from about age four to at least age eight. Seat Belts: At age eight or older and taller than 4’9’’. Remember: Select a car seat based on your child’s age and size. Choose a seat that fits your vehicle and use it every time. According to NHTSA and car seat manufacturers, far too few car seats are being registered. Parents should be reminded to register their car seats, which is quick, free and readily accessible electronically. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and NHTSA both recommend keeping children rear-facing as long as possible up to the top height or weight allowed by their particular seats. Research shows children in the second year of life are five times less likely to die or be seriously injured in a crash if restrained rear-facing compared to forward-facing. All child passengers under age 13 should ride securely restrained in the back seat, where they are safest every trip, every time. — As of January 1, 2012, in Illinois, seat belt use is required in all seating positions in all cars, light trucks and vans. For more information on Child Passenger Safety visit or .
Failure to read and carefully follow the installation instructions included with the car seat as well as those in the vehicle owner’s manual can lead to incorrect installation, exposing child passengers to grave risk of serious injury or death in a crash. All 50 states, the District of Columbia and all U.S. territories have laws requiring children to be restrained riding in cars. In Illinois, children are required to ride in an appropriate car seat or booster seat until age eight. 4 Steps to Safety For maximum child passenger safety protection, parents and caregivers should visit their local inspection station and refer to the following guidelines for determining which restraint system is best suited to protect children based on their age and size: Rear-Facing Seats: In the back seat from birth to the maximum height and weight limit of the seat. Recommended up to two years old, but at a minimum age of one and 20 pounds. Forward-Facing Seats: In the back seat when the child has reached the maximum height or weight limit of the rear-facing seat to about age four and 40-65 pounds. Booster Seats: In the back seat from about age four to at least age eight. Seat Belts: At age eight or older and taller than 4’9’’. Remember: Select a car seat based on your child’s age and size. Choose a seat that fits your vehicle and use it every time. According to NHTSA and car seat manufacturers, far too few car seats are being registered. Parents should be reminded to register their car seats, which is quick, free and readily accessible electronically. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and NHTSA both recommend keeping children rear-facing as long as possible up to the top height or weight allowed by their particular seats. Research shows children in the second year of life are five times less likely to die or be seriously injured in a crash if restrained rear-facing compared to forward-facing. All child passengers under age 13 should ride securely restrained in the back seat, where they are safest — every trip, every time. As of January 1, 2012, in Illinois, seat belt use is required in all seating positions in all cars, light trucks and vans. For more information on Child Passenger Safety visit or .
CPS%20Week%202014%20Talking%20Points.docx