Installing car seats correctly can be tricky and Public Health is here to help! Parents and caregivers can get support fitting their children securely in car seats at events hosted by Public Health and partners this summer. See below for all the details.
And now for our annual CAR SEAT QUIZ. Some of the guidelines have changed and a new law will go into effect in 2020, so now is a good time to test your knowledge.
See how you do and share it with your friends. The correct answer will show up in green.
1. What percent of car seats are installed correctly according to national data?
1 in 4
Correct. Visit a car seat check event to make sure your seat is installed correctly.
2 in 4
3 in 4
2. Child safety seats can reduce the risk of fatal injury by what percent?
70%
Correctly used child safety seats can reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent, according to national research.
30%
90%
3. How long should a child be rear facing?
At least until they turn two.
Keep the child rear facing as long as possible, until they reach the highest weight or height listed on the car seat (and at least until age two). Many car seats allow rear facing to 44″ tall or 40 pounds.
Until their first birthday.
Until my child’s legs touch the back seat while rear facing.
It isn’t dangerous for a child’s legs to touch the back of the seat. A rear facing car seat protects the head, neck and spine in a collision–it’s important to protect the most important part of the child’s body
4. When does a child outgrow a booster seat?
Until they are 4’9″.
The child should be at least 4’9″ and when the adult seat belt fits them properly. Practically speaking, most kids will need a booster until 10-12 years of age. A proper seat belt should rest comfortably between shoulder and neck; cross the center of the chest, rest low across the hips. -across the center of the chest and low across the hips.
Until they are 5 year old or 4’1″.
Until they are 10 years old or 4’7′.
5. In a booster, where should the lap belt be when buckled?
Low across the hips.
The lap belt should rest low and flat across the hips, touching the top of the thighs
Across the belly/abdomen.
It depends on how tall the child is. The belt should fit between the child’s hips and waist.
6. Where should the chest clip be located?
At armpit level.
Two inches below the child’s chest.
Where it doesn’t get in the way of clothing
Now that you’ve taken the quiz, join us at a CAR SEAT CHECK EVENT to make sure your car seat is installed correctly.
If you don’t feel completely confident that you’ve installed your car seat correctly, you aren’t alone and car seat specialists are here to help.
Location: AAA store parking lot in Tukwila at 17250 Southcenter Parkway, Tukwila
Dates: June 20, July 18, August 15, September 19
Time: All events take place from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Appointments are recommended but not required. Please call 206-744-3547 to make an appointment or email safekids@uw.edu. Car seat checks take approximately 30 minutes per car seat.
These events are ones of several ongoing child safety seat check-up events in the Puget Sound area. Check the Washington Safety Restraint Coalition website for locations and schedules.
Originally posted 6/18/19