Public Education Division - Child Safety Seats
Throughout the United Sates laws are in effect
that make it mandatory for infants and children to be restrained
in safety seats until they are old enough to wear seat belts.
Seat belt laws are in effect in most other states as well.
The leading cause of death for children ages 1-5 in the United States is motor vehicle crashes. Proper use of car safety seats can prevent many of these tragedies. In a vehicle crash, or sudden stop, an unrestrained adult holding an infant can crush the baby as they are thrown with incredible force into the dashboard or windshield. A 10-pound baby can be torn from an adult's arms with the force of almost 200 pounds and thrown either into the dash or the windshield in a crash at only 30 m.p.h.
Child safety seats should be used each time the vehicle is utilized and a small child or infant is in it. Automobile crashes occur most often within 25 miles of home. Be certain friends, family, or any caretakers of children not only use child safety seats, but have them correctly installed. Approximately 90% of all car seats are installed incorrectly.
Infants up to 20 pounds and one year of age should ride in the rear facing position of the vehicle in infant-only or convertible child safety seats. Convertible child safety seats are safety seats that convert from the rear facing position (for infants) to a forward facing position for toddlers.
Children weighing 20-40 pounds and over one year of age should ride facing forward in convertible child safety seats or five point harness child safety seats.
Children who are three years old or older and have outgrown their convertible seats or five point harness systems should ride in booster seats until an adult safety belt can be worn safely, preferably when the child is at least eight years of age. Booster seats with a shield should be utilized with lap belts only. Booster seats without a shield may be utilized with a lap and shoulder belt.
Older children can progress to a shoulder belt alone when the lap belt stays low and snug across their hips without riding over the stomach. Make certain the shoulder belt does not cross the face or front of the neck and never permit children to place the shoulder part of the belt under their arms.
The safest place in a vehicle for all children is in the back seat. Never place a rear-facing infant or convertible seat in the front seat with an air bag. Air bags deploy at speeds of up to 200 m.p.h. They can cause serious injury, or even death to infants and children in the front seat. The National Safety Council recommends all children 12 years of age and under should be buckled up in the rear seat.
Please refer to the child safety seat manufacture's instructions when installing a child safety seat and check the vehicle owner's manual for proper installation. A locking clip may be required to secure the vehicle safety belt in place so the child safety seat can be properly anchored.
Should you need assistance acquiring a child safety seat, for a child, please contact Operation Car Seat at 661- 868-0327. This program is through the Kern County Public Health Department and provides discount child safety seats. Certain criteria must be met to qualify for this program.
The Bakersfield Police Department Crime Prevention currently offers free car seat checks on Thursdays between the hours of 9am and 6pm by appointment only call (661) 326-3052.
