Safe Transport for Infants
Passenger Safety
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
in cooperation with
The Texas Department of Transportation
Educational programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin.
The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating
The Problem
• Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause
of death among children.
• Nationally, nearly half of the children who
died in crashes were unrestrained (NHTSA).
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Effectiveness of Child Restraints
• 71% effective in reducing infant deaths
• 54% effective in reducing toddler deaths
• 69% effective in reducing hospitalization need
• Children are 37% less likely to be fatally injured
riding in the rear seat.
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What Is the Best Child Safety Seat?
• Fits child  appropriate for child’s height,
weight, and age
• Fits in the vehicle
• Seat that will be used correctly all of the time
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Why Rear-facing for Infants?
• Babies have large, heavy
heads
• Small, flexible shoulders
• Bones not fully developed
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Rear-facing Increases Protection
• Seat absorbs crash forces
• Back of seat spreads crash forces along
the entire torso
• Protects head, neck, and spinal cord
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Important
• Read the instruction book.
COSCO
• Mail in the registration card
Rear Facing Infant Seat
INSTRUCTIONS
READ AND KEEP
FOR FUTURE
REFERENCE
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Infant-Only Seats

Rear-facing only
 Birth/4/5
lbs. to 18-22 lbs.
 Some now
go to 30/32/35 lbs.
 Most come with a
Passenger Safety
base
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Infant-Only Seats
1
 5-point
harness 3
5
Passenger Safety
2
4
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Air Bag Warning
• Never use a rear-facing seat in front of an
active air bag.
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Keeping Baby Rear-facing
• Keep a child rear-facing until age two or more.
• Make sure there is 1 inch from the top of the
child’s head to the top of the shell.
• Install at the correct angle.
– According to instructions
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Harness Adjusters
• Harness adjusters vary
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Harness Straps Snug
• Straps should be at or
below shoulders
• Straps must be snug
• Not able to pinch any
of webbing on harness
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Harness Retainer Clip
• Keeps harness straps on
baby’s shoulders
• Always goes across chest
from armpit to armpit
Retainer Clip
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Non-regulated Products
• Do not add:
– Thick padding under or
behind child or harness
– Pads on harness straps
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Acceptable Padding
Receiving blankets/cloth
diapers that don’t
interfere with harness
and/or shell contact may
be used.
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Carry Handle
Read manual to determine correct position
for handle when used in vehicle
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Next Step - Convertible Seats
5-Point
Harness
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Rear-facing Convertibles
• Rear-facing until age two or more
• Safer to leave child rear-facing longer
(to age two or the weight and height
limit of seat)
• Current rear-facing convertible seats
go to 35 or 40 lbs. rear-facing
• There are a couple that go to 45 lbs.
rear-facing
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Correct Angle
• Infant seats must be reclined
according to the manufacturer’s
instructions
• No more than 45o
• Seat may have adjustment
foot (infant only) or recline adjuster (convertible)
• May need to use rolled towel or pool noodle
• Older infant can be less reclined (approximately 30o)
• Always follow manufacturer’s instructions
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Installing It Correctly
• Must be rear-facing
• Center position is safest IF secure installation
can be achieved
• Correct angle according to instructions
• Read instructions in vehicle owner’s manual
• Contact technician for inspection
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What to Avoid - Second-Hand Seats
•
•
•
•
Seat involved in crash
History unknown
Missing labels
• Cracks or rust
• Parts missing
• On recall list
More than 6 years old
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Recalls
• Recall Lists on NHTSA Website
• NHTSA:
–
http://www.nhtsa.gov
–
AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE
–
1-888-DASH-2-DOT
• Child Safety Seat Manufacturer
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Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
What’s Next?
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Resources
• Get a free safety seat inspection with a certified
technician
• Locate a technician
–
http://buckleup.tamu.edu
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Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service