Child Passenger Safety

We offer FREE CAR SEAT INSPECTIONS at a number of locations throughout the county.  Scroll to the right for location information.

FACT: More than 85% of children are improperly restrained.

Through education, outreach services, and community involvement, Safe Kids Snohomish County seeks to empower parents and caregivers to properly use and install their child restraints.

Often times parents move their child to the next stage before they are ready.  Always read your car seat owner's manual to find out how your seat works.  Also refer to your vehicle owner's manual for a wealth of information.  Information is power!

CAR SEAT AWARENESS CLASS INFO:

Email us to register for a Child Passenger Safety Awareness class.

2009 Class Schedule: 
October 29, 2009
Marysville Fire 9am-1pm

December 10, 2009
Skagit 911 Center 9am-1pm

*If you have a group of 10 or more we can do an additional class at an earlier date.

Registration:  $50
(fire, EMS, Police are exempt from fee)

For more information about the Awareness Class contact Safe Kids at 425-304-6157.

STEP1 - INFANTS
Use a rear-facing car seat to at least 1 year of age. Use your rear-facing seat longer if the seat has higher weight limits.
It is recommended that you keep your child rear-facing until age 2. 

• Consult your car seat owners manual.
• Consult your vehicle owners manual.
• Carseat should face the rear of the vehicle
• Seat should be reclined.
• Chest clip should be placed on the chest.
• Add blankets over harness and not under it.
• Note:If baby's head is one inch from top of infant seat or baby weighs more than 20 lbs before one year of age, use a convertible seat that goes to 30 lbs or more in the rear-facing direction.

STEP 2 - TODDLERS
Use a forward-facing car seat (convertable or combo seat) until the harness no longer fits (height or weight limit of harness).

• Consult your car seat owners manual.
• Consult your vehicle owners manual.
• Seat faces forward in vehicle.
• Convertible seat should sit upright.
• Chest clip should be placed on the chest.
• Use until the child's shoulders are above top harness strap slots or top part of child's ears are above top of seat.
• Keep the child in a harness system until they reach the upper weight and height limits of the seat. 

STEP 3 - BOOSTERS
Use a booster seat with the lap and shoulder belt until your child passes the 5-Step Fit Test.

• Booster seats are used to make the lap and shoulder belt fit properly; do not use a booster seat with a lap-only belt.
• WA State law requires children to ride in a booster seat until they fit the vehicle seat belt correctly.  A child may fit the vehicle seat belt at around 8 years old or 4'9 tall.  This is a guideline and your child must pass the 5-step fit test (below) before transitioning out of the booster seat.
  

STEP 4 - SAFETY BELTS
5-Step FitTest to determine if child is ready for an adult seatbelt.
*Did you know a seat belt is designed for an adult passenger not a child. 
Be sure your child is ready!

1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2. Do the child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3. Does the lap belt stay on the top part of the thighs?
4. Is the shoulder belt centered on the chest and shoulder?
5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?
   

Note: If you say no to any of these questions, or if your child puts the shoulder part of the seat belt under their arm or behind their back, your child still needs a booster seat.

All children under the age of 13 are required to ride in the back seat.