Grand Junction Fire Department

Child Car Seat Safety

If you see an unbuckled child in a moving vehicle, call 1-800-505-BABY. The Office of Highway Safety will ask you for the license number and state on the car, the city where it occurred and the location of the child (front seat, driver's lap, etc.). The car owner will receive a letter saying that an unrestrained child was observed, and that the law requires children under five to be properly secured. The letter is not a ticket, but an opportunity to educate the owner of the vehicle about keeping children safe in the car.

A disturbing fact comes from a recent study by the SAFE KIDS organization: one third of children are riding in the wrong restraints for their age and size.

Children ages 12 and under are safest when properly buckled in the rear seat.

Always refer to the child seat and vehicle manufacturers' instructions for proper use and installation instructions.

INFANTS: Birth to 1 year/ less than 20 lbs. to Less than 1 year/ 20-35 lbs

Never use in a front seat where an air bag is present.
Tightly install child seat in rear seat, facing the rear.
Child seat should recline at approximately a 45 degree angle.
Harness straps/slots at or below shoulder level (lower set of slots for most convertible child safety seats).
Harness straps snug on child; harness clip at armpit level.

PRESCHOOLERS/TODDLERS: 1 to 4 years/ at least 20 lbs. to approximately 40 lbs

Tightly install child seat in rear seat, facing forward.
Harness straps/slots at or above child’s shoulders (usually top set of slots for convertible child safety seats).
Harness straps snug on child; harness clip at armpit level.

YOUNG CHILDREN: 4 to at least 8 years/unless they are 4’9” (57”) tall

Booster base used with adult lap and shoulder belt in rear seat.
Shoulder belt should rest snugly across chest, rests on shoulder; and should NEVER be placed under the arm or behind the back.
Lap-belt should rest low, across the lap/upper thigh area—not across the stomach.

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