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 Accordion Name : Booster Seat FAQ (3)
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| Booster Seat FAQ | We just bought a booster seat and it seems so unsafe! It slides around the car and isn't attached to anything. Is that right? | A booster seat is designed to raise a child up to correctly fit into a seat belt that is sized for an adult. When a child is seated in a booster, the lap and shoulder belt should fit the child the same way it does an adult. Boosters do not attach to the vehicle like a car seat. You simply place the booster on the vehicle seat, sit the child on it and buckle the lap and shoulder belt correctly around the child. One feature that some booster seats now have are non-skid pads on the bottom of the booster. This is designed to minimize how much it slides around. But, for safest practice, be sure to buckle an unused booster seat, or place it on the floor so that if the vehicle stops suddenly, the booster seat does not fly around inside the vehicle. Some young and/or active children do not keep the seat belt across their body or sit upright the entire ride - which could be very unsafe! It is important to determine whether your child is mature enough to stay seated in a booster seat. Keeping a child in a car seat with a harness system or a safety vest might be a better option. Click this link, 'Booster Seats and Other Products for Children Over 40 Pounds', for a list of seats with weight limits above 40 pounds and other helpful information. | 1 |
| Booster Seat FAQ | When is my child ready to sit in the car without a booster seat? | The 'Gold Star' standard for determining when a child is ready to be graduated out of the booster seat is called the 5-Step Test. While viewing the child sitting buckled up on the vehicle seat, ask yourself these five questions: - Can the child sit all the way back against the vehicle seat?
- Do the child's knees bend naturally over the edge of the seat?
- Does the shoulder belt cross the center of the upper chest?
- Does the lap belt sit low and snug across the hipbone, touching the thighs?
- Can the child sit like this for the entire trip?
If you answered 'NO' to any of these questions, your child should keep using a booster.
If your child will be riding in more than one vehicle, it is important to ensure that s/he takes the 5-Step Test for each car. All vehicles are not made the same; in one car a child may not need a booster and in another car, he may need a booster. While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that children can use adult seat belts once they reach 4' 9', not all children are built the same. Some children may benefit from continued use of the booster seat even after reaching this height guideline. This is why the 5-Step Test is the best guideline. | 2 |
| Booster Seat FAQ | Is there any advice you can give me for installing and using my booster seat? | Follow your car seat and vehicle manufacturer instruction manual. In addition, Partners for Child Passenger Safety has a Web site featuring video clips, highlighting rear-facing seats, forward-facing seats, booster seats and LATCH. Click here to visit their Web site. | 3 |
| Accordion Name : Forwardfacing FAQ (4)
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| Forwardfacing FAQ | I am expecting a second baby soon. Where is the safest place in the car to put my 3 year-old child's forward facing seat? | The safest place for your three-year old depends on the type of seat you have, the number and location of the seating positions in your car, as well as the type of seatbelts in your vehicle. If it is possible to position the two car seats next to each other, then ideally your child's forward-facing seat could be placed in the center position, with the top tether secured. A forward-facing child benefits from the center position because that position often provides as much space as possible in front and to the sides. A child in a rear-facing seat is typically the safest passenger in your vehicle, during frontal and side impact collisions. It often works best to position the infant's seat in the back seat position with the most space. (Many families select the passenger side in the back seat because they have more flexibility in moving and keeping the front seat forward).
The method of car seat installation selected can influence how well two seats 'fit' next to each other. For example, if a car seat is installed with LATCH next to the door, it might sit closer to the center of the vehicle than if the seat belt was used to install the car seat. If two seats do not fit next to each other, a different (narrower) car seat might work better. Some brands and models of car seats are marketed to fit in smaller spaces. Placing each seat in an outboard position (next to the door) might be necessary due to car seat size, sibling behavior, or other family needs. Follow the car seat instructions to install the seats securely and harness the child correctly. And remember to use the top tether for your forward-facing car seat! [link to SRN 'A Tether Is Better'] | 1 |
| Forwardfacing FAQ | My child complains about the straps being too tight on his car seat. What should I do? | First check to make sure your child is not too heavy or tall for the harness. This information can be found in the car seat instruction manual and on the seat's labels. It is dangerous to exceed the weight limit on a car seat, so it might be necessary to select another seat with a higher weight limit. This chart provides a list of harness options above 40 pounds. Also check to make sure that you have the straps threaded through the proper slots. For forward-facing seats the harness should be threaded at or above the child's shoulders. If the straps are at shoulder level, move the straps up to the next slot (if available). If none of these apply, then check the snugness of the straps. You should not be able to pinch or fold webbing at the collarbone and pull webbing away from the child’s body, but the straps should not be so tight as to cut into the skin. | 2 |
| Forwardfacing FAQ | Is there any advice you can give me for installing and using my forward-facing seat? | Follow your car seat and vehicle manufacturer instruction manual. In addition, Partners for Child Passenger Safety has a Web site featuring video clips, highlighting rear-facing seats, forward-facing seats, booster seats and LATCH.Click here to visit their Web site. | 3 |
| Forwardfacing FAQ | How long should I keep my 4 year old, 45 pound child in a car seat harness? | First check your car seat instruction manual to find out the maximum weight and height limits on the car seat harness. In the past, most car seat harness systems could be used to only 40 lbs and a limited height. Today's seats often have forward-facing harness systems that may be used to 50-80 pounds and taller heights. If your car seat has an extended weight and height harness system and your child can fit the harness, it is best to continue using it because the harness provides the best protection. Move your child to the next seat (booster seat) only after s/he outgrows the current seat by weight or height.
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| Accordion Name : General FAQ (10)
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| General FAQ | Important car seat features ('Which car seat is best?') | KISS cannot endorse specific manufacturers or models but we can recommend features to look for, such as: - Multiple sets of harness slots
The more harness height adjustment slots available, the better you are able to adjust the harness to fit your child. - Multiple sets of crotch strap slots
The more crotch strap slots available, the better you are able to adjust the harness to fit your child. There are two types of harness styles currently available on the market: a 5-Point harness (click herefor a photo) and Tray shield (click here for a photo). While both styles provide protection, we typically recommend a 5-Point Harness system because it allows the harness to contact your child along the entire torso and across the hips. - Ease of harness adjusters
Front harness adjusters allow easy access, to tighten and loosen and adjust the height of the harness straps. When the harness is easier to use, parents are more likely to achieve the correct harness snugness. [Click here for photos showing the difference between a back-adjusted harness and front-adjusted harness] Ease of use becomes important during fall/winter/spring months, when parents constantly need to adjust the harness snugness for weather conditions. EPS foam is the same material added to bicycle helmets to better distribute crash forces. Many car seat manufacturers are adding EPS foam to their seats to further improve the safety of the car seat. Currently the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) does not require or test car seats for side-impact protection. However, some car seat manufacturers have designed head-wings, special inserts or reinforced shells which they claim will improve a child's protection during a side-impact collision. Since compatibility between safety seats and vehicles varies, it is a good idea to try and install the safety seat in your car before making a purchase. Ask the store from which you plan to purchase your car seat if you can test the compatibility of the seat prior to purchasing it. Remember to follow both the child safety seat and vehicle manufacturer's instructions. For a limited database of compatibility between vehicle models and some car seat models, go to www.carseatdata.org LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) connectors on harnessed car seats come in two types of styles: hook-on connectors and push-on connectors. Many parents prefer to use the push-on style connectors if the vehicle's Lower Anchor bars are deeply recessed or if the car seat will be removed from the car on a regular basis. [insert photos of different connectors] | 1 |
| General FAQ | Which car seat is best for children who are considered 'tall' or 'heavy' for their age? | Height: - When rear-facing, the top of a child's head must be at least 1' below the top of the car seat. Typically, a convertible seat with a higher harness weight limit can accommodate a taller child in the rear-facing position. Always check the labels/instructions for height limits.
- Children with long torsos in a forward-facing car seat will need a car seat with taller shoulder slots to allow room for shoulder height and proper harness positioning. A combination harness/booster seat or forward-facing seat with a higher weight limit should provide more harness height. When shopping for a car seat, it is a good idea to bring a tape measure to the store to determine which seat has the tallest harness slots. (Most car seats for tall children have top harness slots measuring at least 17'.)
Click here to view a list of seats with harness weight limits above 40 pound. Weight: - Many infants who gain weight quickly will need to be moved to a rear-facing convertible with a higher rear-facing harness weight limit, unless they ride in an infant-only carrier with a weight limit of 30+ pounds.
- Toddlers who outgrow the traditional 40 pound harness system will need a car seat rated to 50-80 pounds to allow them to continue to ride in a full harness.
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| General FAQ | Where can I get my car seat installed? | - Maryland has a network of volunteers and agencies that provide car seat inspections for the public. These sites, called Permanent Fitting Stations, are run by appointment only and availability varies by organization. KISS asks that you call our Helpline directly at 800-370-SEAT for a site nearest you so that we may match you with the most appropriate site based on your need.
However, it is very important to realize that these are inspection sites, not installation sites. So, once your appointment is made, we suggest that you...
- Pre-install the car seat(s), if at all possible. The point of this service is education, not installation. The technician is there to double check your work, and teach you how to correct your work if necessary.
- Please read your owner's manuals for both the car seat and vehicle, prior to your appointment. This will ensure an efficient and comprehensive education process.
- Ask questions if you don't understand something. This is your child and car seat- you need to know how to re-install it prior to leaving the appointment. You will be expected to get into the vehicle, and work with the technician.
The goal is to the learn how to do it yourself (you can do it!) so that when the car seat is taken out of the car for some reason, you don't have to wait for another appointment to re-install your seat. | 3 |
| General FAQ | How do I know if my seat has been recalled? | Call your car seat manufacturer and provide them with the model of the seat, the model number and the date of manufacture. - Contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at 1-888-327-4236 or online at: http://www.safercar.gov
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| General FAQ | How long can I use my car seat? | Most car seats 'expire' approximately six years after the manufacture date. Some models may be used for a longer period of time so always check your owner's manual, call the manufacturer directly or look for an imprint in the shell of the car seat or a label on the car seat to find out when your seat is too old to use. If it has expired, you should not continue to use it.
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| General FAQ | Is it safe to use a previously owned car seat? | Some previously owned car seats look 'nearly new' and may have been used for a few months by a relative or friend. Others may have an unknown history and/or may be dangerous to use due to a safety recall, missing parts, or a previous crash. Because a car seat is a device intended to protect your child, it should be in perfect condition. If you are not able to purchase a new car seat for your child, a used car seat should be checked thoroughly for the following: - The original owner of the seat can verify that the seat has not been in a crash
- No labels or other identifying information are missing from the seat
- The seat has not expired
- The harness straps are intact and not frayed
- The frame is crack/dent free
- The seat still has all its parts
- The instructions are still with the seat
- The seat has a current FMVSS213 compliance label
- The seat has not been recalled
You can register the car seat for safety recalls online at www.safercar.gov | 6 |
| General FAQ | My car seat was in a car crash. Can I still use it? | Always check with your car seat's instructions to find out what to do in the event of a car crash. Maryland law says that a car seat must be used according to manufacturer's instructions. Read through the car seat owner's manual to see if there is a statement about crashed seats or contact the manufacturer directly. If the manufacturer says to replace the seat after a crash, you must replace the seat. In addition, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that a car seat be replaced if it is involved in a moderate or severe crash. Make sure you include the car seat(s) in the police crash report, and discuss car seat replacement with your insurance claim representatives.
In the event of a minor crash (see criteria below), your seat may not have to be replaced. Your crash was minor if: - Upon visual inspection of the seat, no cracks or deformities were found.
- The vehicle that the car seat was in during the crash was driven away from the scene
- Vehicle door nearest the vehicle seat was undamaged.
- There were no injuries to any occupants of the vehicle in the crash.
- The vehicle air bags did not deploy.
However, NHTSA always recommends you follow the car seat manufacturer advice on crashed seats. | 7 |
| General FAQ | My child won't stay in his seat and tries to escape. What can I do? | There is no 'escape-proof' seat. However, there are a few things you should check that could be allowing your child to get out of his seat. - Make sure that the harness straps are properly threaded through the correct slots.
- Adjust the harness straps so that they are snug and flat against your child's body. A properly harnessed child should not be able to lean forward enough to reach or release his buckle. You should not be able to pinch the straps together and pull the webbing away from the collarbone or slide more than one finger beneath the straps at the collarbone. Check to make sure that the harness retainer clip is at armpit level.
- If your child unbuckles a five-point harness system, a tray-shield might hide the buckle from the child's view and access.
- If your child keeps unbuckling his seat, contact your seat manufacturer to see if they can provide you with a stronger buckle. These buckles require more pressure to release than the normal buckle and will prevent your child from releasing it.
Here are a few more suggestions: - Set an example for your child. Children are born imitators. If they see Mommy or Daddy buckling up they want to be buckled up, too.
- Be consistent! Always, always, always buckle your child in. Deciding not to buckle your child in for 'short trips' confuses them and the next time they're in the car they won't want to be buckled. If your children ride with other family members or friends, be sure that they practice the same buckling habits for your child.
- Plan breaks. No one likes to sit still for long periods of time, especially children. For long trips, schedule breaks during which children can stretch and run around.
- Involve your child. Before trips in the car, take a doll or stuffed animal and let your child practice buckling it in. While doing this, remind your child that the car seat and the buckles help keep her and the doll safe.
- Pack a fun bag. Children often get bored on long car trips. Pack a bag with snacks, books, favorite dolls and games to keep them entertained. This will help keep their mind off being buckled in the seat.
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| General FAQ | How do I know if the harness is correct? | Specific manufacturer's instructions may vary a bit but here are some general guidelines: - For rear-facing seats, the harness should be threaded so that the harness is AT or BELOW shoulder level.
- Forward-facing seats should be threaded so that the harness is AT or ABOVE shoulder level.
- The harness clip should be positioned at armpit level and the straps should lay flat against the body.
- The harness should be snug on the child. Test the snugness of the harness by pinching the webbing of the harness at the collarbone. If you can pinch any amount of webbing then the harness is too loose.
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| General FAQ | I have heard that I should not dress my child in snow suit or bulky coats. Why not? | Your child should not wear bulky coats or blankets while in her car seat because the extra padding and cushioning creates more space between your baby and the harness. During a crash, all of the air in puffy coats and snowsuits is compressed and the child will be left with a dangerously loose harness. This will allow the baby to move forward more than they would if they were wearing less bulky fabrics. Instead of dressing your baby in bulky clothing, drape a blanket or the baby's coat over top of the child or the seat after correctly securing the child in the seat. [Click here for a photo example]
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| Accordion Name : Installation LATCH FAQ (7)
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| Installation LATCH FAQ | How can I tell if my seat is installed tightly? | Pull your car seat at the belt path (where the seat belt passes through the car seat or where the LATCH has been attached to the vehicle) to the left and right, front and back. If you can move the seat more than one inch in any direction your seat is not installed tightly enough.
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| Installation LATCH FAQ | How do I know if my car has LATCH? | The LATCH system was phased in from 1999 - 2002. All passenger vehicles have been equipped with top tether anchors since September 2000. Lower anchors were required in all passenger vehicles by September 2002. Refer to your vehicle owner’s manual, (or call the manufacturer with the VIN number if you do not have an owner’s manual) to find out whether your vehicle is equipped with LATCH and how you locate the anchor points.
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| Installation LATCH FAQ | Is the LATCH system safer than the seatbelt? | - All car seats are manufactured to the same specific safety standards. Whether or not you install your car seat using LATCH does not make it more or less safe than a seat that is installed using a seatbelt.
- Remember, just because your car/car seat is equipped with LATCH does not mean you can not install the car seat with the seat belt. It may be difficult to achieve a tight installation using LATCH in some vehicles or with certain car seats. Sometimes a car seat installed with LATCH overlaps two seating positions and reduces the number of back seat passengers. When this happens, use the seat belt instead of LATCH to install the car seat.
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| Installation LATCH FAQ | Can I use the top tether when I don't use LATCH? | - When installing a forward-facing car seat with the seatbelt, it is very important to use the top tether whenever possible. A top tether reduces the forward movement of a child's head and the car seat during a frontal collision. It may also stabilize the car seat during a side-impact collision.
- If your older vehicle does not have factory installed top tether anchors, you can usually purchase a top tether anchor kit to retrofit your vehicle. The retrofit kit, obtained through the vehicle manufacturer parts department, is specific to your vehicle's make, model, year and seating position. Call Kids In Safety Seats at 800-370-SEAT for more information.
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| Installation LATCH FAQ | Can I install my car seat using LATCH and the seatbelt? | - You should never use LATCH and the seat belt together (unless specified by the car seat manufacturer's instructions). They are both designed to perform the same job. One is not safer than the other. Almost all car seat and vehicle manufacturers instruct users to NOT use both systems at the same time. Choose the installation method that is easiest for you, in your vehicle.
- When a car seat is installed with LATCH, it IS a good idea to buckle the seat belt (behind the car seat) and switch the belt into the locked position (see the vehicle instruction manual) so that it is not possible for a child to become entangled in the unused seat belt.
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| Installation LATCH FAQ | Can I use LATCH in the rear center position? | You can use LATCH in the rear center position only if the owner's manual to your vehicle and car seat designates that position for LATCH (many do not).
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| Installation LATCH FAQ | Can I use a tether on my rear-facing seat? | You can use a tether on a rear-facing seat only if the instruction manual to your car seat permits it. Currently, Britax and Sunshine Kids sell convertible car seats which can be tethered rear-facing and forward-facing.
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| Accordion Name : KISS (8)
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| KISS | Register for a Car Seat | Maryland Kids in Safety Seats partners with volunteer organizations throughout the State to offer low-cost car seat options to families in need of car seats through our Car Seat Assistance Program. To register for a car seat, please click here. Important notes: Financial qualifications and types of car seats available vary by county and not all counties have a Car Seat Assistance Program. If a county does not have a program, a list of low cost car seat options available in local retail stores can be provided to the caregiver.
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| KISS | Maryland Child Passenger Safety Law | Effective October 1, 2022, children: Under 2 years old must ride rear-facing, unless the child has reached the maximum height or weight as determined by the seat. Under 8 years old must ride in a car seat or booster seat, per the car seat instructions, unless the child is 4 feet, 9 inches or taller before the 8th birthday. Between 8 and 16 years old must be secured in a car seat, booster seat, or vehicle seat belt.
Important Notes: The car seat must be used and installed according to the car seat and vehicle manuals. The law applies to vehicles registered as: Class A (passenger), Class E (truck) or Class M (multipurpose) vehicles. The law applies to in-state and out-of-state vehicles. It is the driver’s responsibility to make sure all occupants under 16 are correctly buckled up.
If you need a car seat, contact KISS at 800-370-SEAT (7328), click here to apply for our Car Seat Assistance Program, a low-cost program for families who financially qualify. Program availability and car seat inventory vary. For more information about Maryland's Child Passenger Safety Law, click here. | 2 |
| KISS | In-Person Services | KISS offers a variety of in-person child passenger safety services, including: Community car seat check events: Caregivers work one-on-one with a Child Passenger Safety Technician to make certain that the: Car seat is installed correctly. Caregiver feels comfortable reinstalling the car seat on their own. Harness use and adjustments for child growth are reviewed.
Community events are scheduled statewide and usually by appointment, to allow time for inspection and education. Individual appointment: Individual car seat check appointments may be scheduled by contacting a Child Passenger Safety Technician using the Safe Kids “Find a Tech” option. CPSTs may not be available in all areas of Maryland. Caregivers unable to connect with a local CPST can use our Video Car Seat Appointment to schedule a video car seat appointment.. Group/community presentations: Learn about Maryland’s Child Passenger Safety law, ages and stages of car seats and booster seats, and tips for using and installing car seats. Car seat displays: Child Passenger Safety Technicians set up and staff car seat displays during local community health or safety events.
Hands-on training: Training for agency staff who transport children as part of their job. | 3 |
| KISS | Virtual Services | KISS offers virtual child passenger safety services, including: Video car seat appointments: Caregivers work one-on-one via Zoom with a Child Passenger Safety Technician to make certain that the: Car seat is installed correctly. Caregiver feels comfortable reinstalling the car seat on their own. Harness use and adjustments for child growth are reviewed.
Webinars: Scheduled monthly for expectant caregivers to learn about car seat basics for their newborn and professionals who transport children to learn about Maryland’s Child Passenger Safety Law, the ages and stages of car seats and booster seats, and tips for using and installing car seats. Other webinar topics may be available by-request for groups. | 4 |
| KISS | Unable to Attend an In-person Activity? | Not able to join KISS for an in-person activity? Try one of the ideas below! Register for a Video Car Seat Assistance Program appointment to learn how to use and install your car seat(s) via a Zoom appointment. Register for a “live” webinar. We offer webinars for expectant and new caregivers and professionals who transport children. Look up direct car or vehicle manufacturer services. Car Seat Manual- every new car seat comes with an instruction manual that explains how to use and install your car seat. Car Seat Manufacturer Customer Service- manufacturer phone numbers are listed on the car seat labels of every car seat. Car Seat Manufacturer Website- car seat manufacturers post PDF's of product manuals and many have user-friendly videos on their website to learn how to use their products. Youtube Channels- many car seat manufacturers have brand-specific youtube channels. Vehicle Owners Manuals- every vehicle owner's manual will have installation instructions in the manual. Look up 'car seat' or 'child safety seat' or 'child safety restraint' in the index for more information.
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| KISS | Order Educational Materials | Kids in Safety Seats has free child passenger safety educational materials, available in English and Spanish. Review the topics and submit an Educational Materials Request using this link. | 7 |
