Seat Belt Laws

Infants (From birth to 12 months and 20 pounds)
 All infants should ride in the back seat of the car in a rear-facing safety seat. The seat should recline at a 45-degree angle. This is the safest position for two reasons:

A. An infant can be seriously injured or killed if an airbag inflates.
 
B. Riding rear-facing best protects a child's head and neck. 

 The only exception to putting infants in the back seat are if a car does not have a back seat and the passenger airbag can be deactivated. (The airbag should always be reactivated when preparing to ride with older passengers.)

 The safety seat should be firmly fastened in place and shouldn't move from side to side or back-to-front. Be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions.

 At first, when a baby can't support its head, rolled towels or receiving blankets can be placed around the child's head.

 Make sure the straps of the safety seat go over the child's shoulders and are buckled.

 The harness should be adjusted snugly, so only one finger can fit underneath the straps at the child's chest.

 The harness clip should be even with the child's armpits.
 
Toddlers (From 1 year and 20 pounds to 40 pounds)

 All toddlers should ride in the back seat of the car, so, like rear-facing seats, these front-facing seats should always be placed in the back seat.

 When infants reach 1 year of age and at least 20 pounds, they can graduate to child safety seats that face forward.

 Read the instructions concerning safety seats from both the car owner's manual and the manufacturer of the safety seat.

 Make sure the straps of the safety seat go over the child's shoulder and are buckled.

 The harness should be adjusted snugly, so only one finger can fit underneath the straps at the child's chest.

 The harness clip should be even with the child's armpits.
 
Small Children (From 40 pounds to 60-80 pounds)

 All children should ride in the back seat of the car.

 Small children should ride in convertible seats as long as they remain within the height and weight limits of the seats.

 When they have outgrown the convertible seat, a booster seat that positions the lap/shoulder belt correctly should be used.

 Small children should ride in a booster seat as long as they remain within the height and weight limits of the seat.

 Lap belts that ride up on their tummy could cause serious injury. The lap belt should fit low across the hips and lay flat across their thighs.

 The shoulder belt should cross the center of the chest, and should not cross the face or the front of the neck.
 
Big Kids (From 60-80 pounds and up)

 By law, anyone riding in the back seat that is 14 and younger must buckle their safety belt.

 If you are age 12 or under, it is much safer for you to ride in the back seat.

 Make sure your seat belt fits snugly.

 Never put the safety belt shoulder portion behind your back or under your arm.

 The law requires that everyone in the front seat must buckle their safety belt.

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