Car Seat check up offered by Ced

Car Seat check up offered by
Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue

The Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue has a program that is offered to the residents of Manatee County to insure that your child’s car seat is installed properly. According to statistics, four (4) out of five (5) car seats are installed improperly. Be certain you've installed your child's car seat, safety or booster seat correctly by having it checked at a child safety seat inspection station or by a certified child passenger safety technician. Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue has a certified technician on staff. If interested, please contact Inspector Eric Center at (941) 751-8258 and make an appointment Monday thru Thursday 7am-5pm.

There is no charge for this service. You will need approximately forty-five (45) minutes for the appointment and you will be asked to sign a release of liability form.

Below is information on the proper seat and installation of the seats.

SET POSITION USAGE TIPS:

Infants
Birth to at least 1 year and at least 20 pounds. Infant-Only Seat/rear-facing or Convertible Seat/used rear-facing. Seats should be secured to the vehicle by the safety belts or by the LATCH system.

1. Never use in a front seat where an air bag is present.

2. Tightly install child seat in rear seat, facing the rear.

3. Child seat should recline at approximately a 45 degree angle.

4. Harness straps/slots at or below shoulder level (lower set of slots for most convertible child safety seats.

5. Harness straps snug on child; harness clip at armpit level.

Less than 1 year
20-35 lbs. Convertible Seat/used rear-facing. Seats should be secured to the vehicle by the safety belts or by the LATCH system.

1. Never use in a front seat where an air bag is present.

2. Tightly install child seat in rear seat, facing the rear.

3. Child seat should recline at approximately a 45 degree angle.

4. Harness straps/slots at or below shoulder level (lower set of slots for most convertible child safety seats)

5. Harness straps snug on child; harness clip at armpit level.

PRESCHOOLERS

Toddlers
1 to 4 years/ at least 20 lbs. to approximately 40 lbs. Convertible Seat/forward-facing or Forward-Facing Only or High Back Booster/Harness. Seats should be secured to the vehicle by the safety belts or by the LATCH system.

1. Tightly install child seat in rear seat, facing forward.

2. Harness straps/slots at or above child’s shoulders (usually top set of slots for convertible child safety seats).

3. Harness straps snug on child; harness clip at armpit level.

Young Children
Children 4 years to at least 8 years/unless they are 4’9" (57") tall. Belt-Positioning Booster (no back, only) or High Back Belt-Positioning Booster. NEVER use with lap-only belts—belt-positioning boosters are always used with lap AND shoulder belts.

1. Booster used with adult lap and shoulder belt in rear seat.

2. Shoulder belt should rest snugly across chest, rests on shoulder; and should NEVER be placed under the arm or behind the back.

3. Lap-belt should rest low, across the lap/upper thigh area—not across the stomach.

The above information is from the National Highway Transportation Safety Association www.nhtsa.dot.gov and Safe Kids www.safekids.org