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Hi. I'm Wendy Warren. Like you, I have children. And they're my whole world. And though they're
growing up now, I still remember how intimidating it
was to strap them into that car seat...and then actually get in the car and drive away
with them. But if I can do it, you can, too. And I'm going to be here
to walk you through all the steps!
From the important things to watch for while installing your infant seat,
...To the time your toddler is ready to turn around and see the world.
...To the right way for a seat belt to fit your grade schooler, this program is here
to supply you with the knowledge you need to confidently drive safely
with your child.
In this program, we are going to be discussing and demonstrating child safety seat requirements
included in state law. However, we also urge you to
seek out additional information about child safety, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics'
best practice guidelines available at
HealthyChildren.org.
So now, let's take a look at how Wisconsin law applies to car seats.
Until your baby is one year old AND weighs at least 20 pounds, your child must be in
a rear-facing car seat. And only in the back seat. However, your
child may remain in a rear-facing seat up to the manufacturers height and weight limits
for that seat.
The next step is a forward-facing car seat, where your child will stay until he or she
reaches forty pounds and four years old.
Finally, a booster seat must be used until your child is 8 years old, weighs 80 pounds,
or reaches 4'9" tall.
For more information visit ZeroInWisconsin.gov/ChildSafetySeats.
See you soon.
Bringing your new baby home is an incredible experience. But it's also normal to be nervous
about...well...pretty much everything.
Trust me, I know all about the nerves associated with driving around with your infant. But
you can take a big step toward settling any new parent jitters
by learning the most up-to-date child safety information. Let's start with your child's
car seat.
On the first trip home from the hospital and until your child is one-year-old AND weighs
at least 20 pounds, your child must be in a rear-facing car
seat... and only in the backseat.
While it may not sound like much of a view for the child, it's the single safest way
for your precious cargo to travel.
Even if he is fussy ort... in need of a clean-up, taking him out of the car seat while the vehicle
is moving is unsafe and can result in a tickett... or worse.
Before you start, it's extremely important to check your car seat's user manual, as well
as your vehicle's user manual for special instructions.
The seat we'll be demonstrating with is a convertible seat, designed to adapt with your
child as he grows.
Remember, every child seat is different. So, in addition to the user's manual and your
vehicle's owner manual,
...you can also find out much more about child safety seats at the Wisconsin Information
network for Safety's website at www.WCPSA.com.
Ted is going to help us out today. "Hi Ted."
"Ready to get in a little extra practice?" Ok, away we go...
Before installing the seat for the first time, make sure the harness straps fit your child.
If necessary, rethread them through the back until you get a proper fit with the harness
straps at or below shoulder level.
Next, you'll want to adjust the recline stand so it's at the front of the car seat. This
will help keep your baby at a safe and proper angle.
With one hand, grab the seatbelt and pass it through the opening closest to you. Then,
pull it through the back of the seat and through the other side with your free hand.
Once it's through, attach the latch plate to your car's seat belt buckle. Then push
down on the seat while pulling all the slack out of the seatbelt.
Next -- and this is extremely important -- make sure you pull on the belt as tight as you
can.
One easy check: try to move the seat side-to-side after you're done. If it moves more than an
inch, try it again, and don't quit 'til it's firmly in place.
If your car was built after 2002, it's likely equipped with the LATCH system.
Designed to make life easier for parents, it can be your best friend while you're adapting
to your new travel companion.
Once the car seat is properly installed, it's time to add the most important element: your
baby.
The important thing here is to make sure your child is as safe as he is comfortable.
After placing him in the car seat, slip his arms through the straps and buckle both belt
straps.
Now latch the chest clip and slide it up to his mid-chest.
To tighten, pull up on the harness adjustment strap. You should find it between your child's
feet. In a rear-facing car seat, the harness straps should be at or below your child's
shoulders.
Finally, check that he is strapped in good and snug. You should be able to pinch the
strap and feel no slack. If you pinch and can feel any loose strap, tighten it up.
And now, after your child is safely secured, you can be on your way.
Before you and your baby take that first road trip -- even if it's just around the block
-- it's vital to know the right way to install your child's safety seat.
It's easy if you remember these simple steps:
Make sure your car seat is at the proper angle according to its user manual.
Thread the belt and latch it into the seat belt buckle.
Tighten the seat belt and harness straps and adjust the chest clip.
Following the same steps every time will go a long way toward keeping your baby safe,
and keeping your mind at ease.
For more information on Wisconsin Child Safety Seat laws, visit ZeroInWisconsin.gov/ChildSafetySeats.
For best practices and additional safety recommendations, visit HealthyChildren.org
What happens when your child isn't a baby anymore? Well, besides being a time for some
new adventures - and a few new hoops to jump through - it's also time for a new car seat.
Wisconsin law says that when your child is between one and four years old, and weighs
between 20 and 40 pounds, you can move him into a forward-facing seat.
However, your child may remain in a rear-facing seat up to the manufacturer's height and weight
limits for that seat.
Though the safest place for your toddler is still in a car seat in the back of your vehicle,
there are a few differences from his old rear-facing seat.
Before you start, it's important to check your car's user manual AND the instructions
on your car seat for any special instructions or warnings.
OK, well, James and Leo are here to join us this morning. "You guys are going to show
us how this is done, right?"
"You betcha!"
"How about it, buddy, can you show us how to use this? OK!"
Before you even leave your house, make sure the seat fits your toddler, adjusting the
harness straps if necessary.
Adjust the recline stand so it's set at the back of the car seat. This transitions the
angle from rear-facing to forward-facing.
Next, place the seat in the car and thread the seat belt through the opening closest
to the doort... through the back of the seatt... and out the other side.
Now, latch the seat belt buckle.
Push the seat down with your hand, knee or whatever you're most comfortable with. The
most important thing is that it's pressed down as far as it'll go.
While pushing the seat down, pull as much of the slack as you can out of the seat belt.
Try to move the seat side-to-side after you're done. If it moves more than an inch, try it
again. And don't quit until it's firmly in place.
Cars made after 2002 should be equipped with the LATCH System -- a simple and secure way
to install your car seat.
And with that settled, it's time to get your co-pilot situated!
Getting your child into his new toddler seat should feel pretty familiart... the process
is a lot like the rear-facing seat.
Once he's in his car seat, slip his arms through the straps.
Then, clip the two lap buckles. You can double check that they're secure by pulling up on
the straps.
Snap the chest clip and slide it up to around the armpit, making sure it stays at your child's
mid-chest.
Finally, take the harness adjustment strap between your child's feet and pull until the
shoulder straps are comfortably secure. If you pinch the strap and feel any slack, it's
too loose. So, continue to tighten the straps until they're secure.
"Hey, thanks for your help, guys. See, that wasn't so hard."
Like the infant seat, it may take a few tries and a little elbow grease. But once you have
it down, you'll drive easier knowing your baby is as safe as can be in his lovingly
installed car seat.
For more information on Wisconsin Child Safety Seat laws, visit ZeroInWisconsin.gov/ChildSafetySeats.
For best practices and additional safety recommendations, visit HealthyChildren.org
So you've finally reached the point where your child has outgrown her forward-facing
car seat.
But what to do now? Well, in Wisconsin, once your child is 4 years old and weighs at least
40 pounds, she can transition into a simple -- but very important -- booster seat. And
that's the way she'll ride until she's eight years old, weighs at least 80 pounds, or is
taller than 4'9".
However, your child may remain in a front-facing car seat up to the manufacturer's height and
weight limits for that seat.
Ann and Lily are here now. "Hi guys!"
They're going to show us how it's done.
Place the booster seat in the back seat of the car.
When your child sits on the seat, make sure her back is right up against the backrest,
and that she is sitting comfortably. If necessary, adjust the backrest.
The booster we're demonstrating has a backrest, but many of them don't. If yours is one of
the latter, just make sure your child's back is pressed firmly against the back of your
vehicle's seat.
Tilt the arm rests up so the path is clear for the safety belt.
Then, pull the belt across so the lap belt is low on her hips under the armrest, and
the shoulder belt is across her chest.
Make sure the seat belt crosses your child's shoulder about half way between her neck and
shoulder, or it won't hold her in place if something were to happen.
To be on the safe side, double check that the belt is securely latched.
Simple, right? Once you've got the booster seat down, there's just one more stage to
look forward to. And though you may think you know everything you need to know about
seat belts, there are still a few helpful hints to keep your child safe as she grows.
How do you know when your child no longer needs a booster and can "graduate" to the
back seat?
If she can comfortably sit in the seat with her legs bent at the knees over the edge of
the seat and the shoulder harness and lap belt fit properly, she's ready. Then she can
simply buckle up. But remember, Wisconsin law allows parents to have their children
remain in the booster for longer if they choose. Up to the manufacturer's height and weight
limits for that seat.
No matter what, your child should remain in the back seat until she is at least 12 years
old. And the safest way for her to buckle up is with a lap belt and a shoulder harness.
"Now, Lauren and Abby are here today and you guys have a little bit of experience with
this, right?"
"Yes, we do."
'"OK, you're gonna show us how it's done?"
"Sure, we'd love to."
Make sure your child has the belt securely latched.
The shoulder belt should lie snugly across the shoulder and chest - NOT across the neck
or face. The lap belt should lie snugly across the upper thighs - NOT the stomach. And just
make sure your child's back is pressed firmly against the back of your vehicle's seat.
And there you have it. Nothing but clear roads ahead.
Making sure your child is safely secured in his or her car seat is an important way we
can all work together to achieve zero deaths on Wisconsin roadways.
Zero In Wisconsin: A vision we can all live with.
Thanks for watching. Drive safely!
For more information on Wisconsin Child Safety Seat laws, visit ZeroInWisconsin.gov/ChildSafetySeats.
For best practices and additional safety recommendations, visit HealthyChildren.org.