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RANKEN JORDAN SPOTLIGHT

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Child Passenger Safety
Nationally, 9 out of every 10 car seats are being used improperly. We want to help lower this number.
 
                              
 
Please schedule an appointment to have your car seat or booster seat inspected and installed by one of Ranken Jordan’s Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians. Contact Heather Wilson at (314) 872-6435 or healther.wilson@rankenjordan.org.
 
If 100% of motor vehicle occupants younger than age 5 had been
          protected by child safety seats, an 
          estimated 485 lives could have
          been saved in 2002.
 
 
How can you ensure that your child is safe?
Follow the guidelines below as well as reference the owner’s manual from the manufacturer.

Rear-Facing Car Seats
Infants (From birth to at least age 1 and 20 pounds)
  • Infants should be rear-facing with an infant only seat or convertible car seat until at least age 1 and 20 pounds.  Be sure to check specific seat recommendations for weight and height limits. 
  • Put the harness through the slots so they are even with or below the infant’s shoulders. Be sure the harness is tight so you can’t pinch extra webbing at the shoulder (“pinch test”).
  • Adjust the harness clip to armpit level (this is also standard for forward-facing car seats).
  • The car seat should not move more than 1 inch side to side or front to back (this is also standard for forward-facing car seats).
  • The back seat of the car is the safest for ALL children, regardless of age.
Forward-Facing Car Seats
Toddlers (Older than age 1 and more than 20 pounds)
  • Put the harness through the slots so they are even with or above the child’s shoulders. Some seats require use of the top slots when the seat is forward-facing, so be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions. Be sure the harness is tight so you can’t pinch extra webbing at the shoulder (“pinch test”).
  • Adjust the harness clip to armpit level.
  • The car seat should not move more than 1 inch side to side or front to back once installed.
  • A child is too big for the seat when the shoulders are above the top slots, the tops of the ears are above the back of the seat or the weight limit is exceeded.
Booster Seats
40 to 80 or 100 pounds
  • According to Missouri Law, effective August 28, 2006, a child must be in a booster seat if they are ages 4-7 years old, unless they are 80 pounds OR 4’ 9” tall.
  • Some booster seats have a weight limit up to 100 pounds, so be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Use the vehicle’s lap AND shoulder belt on every booster seat. NEVER place the shoulder belt under the child’s arm or behind the child’s back.  

Safety Belts

  • Be sure ALL occupants wear safety belts correctly every time. Buckle the lap and should belt. Ensure that the lap belt lies on the upper legs or hips and that the shoulder belt rests on the shoulder or collarbone. Children learn from adult role models.

If you would like to have your personal car seat checked by one of Ranken Jordan’s Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians please contact Heather Wilson, CTRS, CPST to schedule an appointment: (314) 872-6435.

For more information on child safety visit www.safekids.org

 
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