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Child Passenger Safety - Seat Belt Systems

One of the many challenges of having children, is how to transport them from place to place safely and securely. A parent's first thought when it comes to traveling with their child, is which safety seat to choose. There are as many options for child seats, as there are reasons for having them. With such a wide variety of child safety seats, seat belt systems, and the different types of vehicles they are built for, knowing which one is best for you can be just as daunting a task as the installation itself.

This consumer information section is dedicated to improve your chances on making the right choice on both safety and online auto insurance. Here you'll learn how to correct common mistakes when installing a child restraint and securing your child in the safety system you select. We'll show you how by making the right connections, you can improve the overall protection for your child. Always read child restraint and auto manufacturers' instructions for specific information on proper use and installation procedures.

Using Rear-Facing Safety Seats
Even if your vehicle is equipped with a cut-off switch for your air-bag system, the safest place for children under 12 is in the rear seat. Never should a parent place a rear-facing safety seat in front of an air bag. Sever injury or fatality are the risks associated with placing a child's seat in this location. If no rear seat is available for a rear-facing infant seat, consider another mode of transportation. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that a healthy baby buckled correctly in a rear-facing infant seat is as safe as a baby in a crib.

Using Forward-Facing Child Safety Seats
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), placing children 12 and under in the rear seat is the safest choice a parent can make. If no other options exist other than seating a small child in the front seat, take great care. The seat must be properly installed, if available the air-bag settings are to off, and maximizing the distance between the child and the air-bag lowers the risk involved, though they still exist. A quick reference to your automobile safety manual, as well as your child restraint's installation pamphlet, should be made before making the decision to place the safety seat in the front of the vehicle.

Things to Remember

1. Place the seat in the upright position, this provides the best protection for a forward-facing child. It is important to note that you should not use the reclined position for a rear-facing safety seat.
2. Ensure that the shoulder straps of the safety seat are moved to the uppermost position, which are reinforced to withstand the force of a crash.

For information on specific Child Safety Restraint Systems, check out the following links.

• National Safety Belt Coalition Child Safety Seats
  Ensure you are properly installing your child safety restraint. This site gives installation tips and links to additional child passenger safety information.



• NHTSA's Vehicle Child Safety Seat Installation Reference
  Learn the proper installation of your child safety restraint.



• NJ L&PS: Highway Traffic Safety: Child Seats: New Law
  Discusses new legislation regarding child passenger safety restraints.



• Child seats - Child Restraint Laws
  Insightful website offering valuable information on new child passenger safety laws.



• Children's Car Seat Safety Guide
  Safety Belt Safe: get help finding the best car seat for your child.



• Evenflo - Parenting Resources
  Many parents choose not to purchase a booster seat, as they feel the auto's seat belts alone are adequate protection. At Evenflo.com, learn how to make this difficult, yet important decision.



• AAA - Traffic Safety - Child Safety Restraints
  Tips on how to transport your child safely.

Supplimental information provided by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. For further information, go to http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/CPS/.