Car Seat Safety Tips

The Cleveland Fire Department welcomes calls and questions for available Car Seat Technicians. Our number is 281-592-8721. Feel free to call to ensure that someone will be able to answer your questions.

If technicians are not available at the Cleveland Fire Department, we will provide you with information to the nearest agency that can assist you.

Car Safety Guidelines

Infants

  • Infants should always ride in the back seat of the automobile.
  • Infants must ride facing the rear of the car until they are 1 year old and weight 20 pounds.
  • Car seat harness straps should be snug and the harness clip fastened at the armpit level.
  • The car seat carrying handle should be down while in the vehicle.
  • Route harness straps through the lower slots or below the shoulder.
  • Car seats must be reclined at a 45-degree angle.
  • Premature, low birth weight, and special needs children should always ride in the back seat of the automobile.
  • For premature or low birth weight infants, a car seat (or car bed) that is the right size, height, and weight should be used.
  • A physician or therapist should make the determinations if a special needs car seat is appropriate, as car seats for children with special needs are expensive.Most conventional car seats can adapt to children with special needs.

Toddlers

  • Toddlers should always ride in the back seat of the automobile.
  • Children over 1 year old and between 20-40 pounds should ride facing the front of the car.
  • Car seat harness straps should be snug and the harness clip fastened at the armpit level.
  • Route harness straps through the upper slots or below the shoulder.
  • If using a convertible car seat, adjust the car seat in the upright position.
  • The car seat must be tightly secured to the seat belt in the vehicle.
  • Some forward-facing seats can be used with harness straps until the child reaches 40 pounds and used without the harness straps as a booster seat.

Young Children

  • Children age 12 and under should ride in the back seat of the automobile.
  • Children from 60 to 80 pounds and under 4 feet 9 inches should ride in a booster seat.
  • The sole purpose of a booster seat is to lift the child into a safe and comfortable position so the seat belt system fits correctly.