New Hackensack Fire Department - Child Passenger Safety

A recent survey completed by the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found that although child safety seat restraint use has increased from 50.6 percent to 71.5 percent, nearly 80 percent of all child restraints are improperly used, needlessly exposing children to an increased risk of death or injury. Tragically, it also found that nearly 12 percent of children were completely unrestrained. The fact is that motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of unintentional injury-related deaths among children ages 14 and under. In 2001, 6 children were killed and 732 children were injured EACH day. The good news is that child safety seats and safety belts, when installed and used correctly, prevent injuries and save lives.

Knowing these important statistics, New Hackensack wants to ensure that the residents and children of this district don’t become a statistic. To continue to ensure the safety of our local residents and their children, members of New Hackensack have attended the National SAFE KIDS Child Passenger Safety Program (www.safekids.org). The National SAFE KIDS Campaign is the certifying body for the National Standardized Child Passenger Safety Training Program. Upon passing this program, individuals become nationally certified as CPS Technicians. These technicians put their knowledge to work through a variety of activities, including public child safety seat checks, to encourage parents and caregivers to properly protect their children in motor vehicles. Technicians also educate adults about and provide hands-on assistance with the proper use of child restraint systems and safety belts. New Hackensack has now joined other organizations throughout Dutchess County providing this invaluable service.

FACT: Most accidents occur within just a half hour from your home. Never assume it is safe for your child to sit unrestrained or improperly restrained for even a short ride. Holding your child is also a very unsafe method of transport. A child that weighs just 10 pounds involved in a motor vehicle accident at a speed of just 30 MPH would require at least 300 pounds of force to restrain the infant from moving forward. This could happen in a matter of seconds. Do you think you could restrain your child? The forces needed to restrain you, the parent, in this same accident could be in upwards of 3,000 pounds. Think safe and be safe!

Would you like to make an appointment to have your child's seat inspected? Please contact Frank Paulo on Monday evenings after 7:00 pm to schedule an appointment, or you may send an email to fpaulo@nkfd.org. For a list of events scheduled at New Hackensack where inspections will be provided, please visit our "Upcoming Events" tab.

Child	Age / Weight	Seat Type / Seat Position	Usage Tips
INFANTS	Birth to at least 1 year and at least 20 pounds.	Rear Facing Infant-Only Seat or Convertible Seat used rear-facing.	Never use in a front seat where an air bag is present.
			Tightly install child seat in rear seat, facing the rear.
			Child seat should recline at approximately a 45 degree angle.
		*Seats should be secured to the vehicle by the seat belts or by the LATCH system.*	Harness straps/slots at or below shoulder level (lower set of slots for most convertible child safety seats).
			Harness straps snug on child; harness clip at armpit level.
	Less than 1 year and 20-35 lbs.	Convertible Seat used rear-facing (select one recommended for heavier infants).	Never use in a front seat where an air bag is present.
			Tightly install child seat in rear seat, facing the rear.
			Child seat should recline at approximately a 45 degree angle.
		*Seats should be secured to the vehicle by the seat belts or by the LATCH system.*	Harness straps/slots at or below shoulder level (lower set of slots for most convertible child safety seats).
			Harness straps snug on child; harness clip at armpit level.
PRESCHOOLER / TODDLER	1 to 4 years and at least 20 lbs. to approximately 40 lbs.	Convertible Seat used forward-facing or Forward-Facing Only or High Back Booster with Harness.	Tightly install child seat in rear seat, facing forward.
			Harness straps/slots at or above child’s shoulders (usually top set of slots for convertible child safety seats).
		*Seats should be secured to the vehicle by the seat belts or by the LATCH system.*	Harness straps snug on child; harness clip at armpit level.
YOUNG CHILDREN	4 to at least 8 years unless they are 4’9" (57") tall.	Belt-Positioning Booster (no back, base only) or High Back Belt-Positioning Booster.	Booster base used with adult lap and shoulder belt in rear seat.
			Shoulder belt should rest snugly across chest, rests on shoulder; and should NEVER be placed under the arm or behind the back.
		NEVER use with lap-only belts—belt-positioning boosters are always used with lap AND shoulder belts.	Lap-belt should rest low, across the lap/upper thigh area—not across the stomach.