The UTMB Police Department's child safety seat program is generously funded and made possible by a grant from the Rotary Club of Galveston.
To ensure the safe transportation of children in motor vehicles, the UTMB Police Department has trained a
group of Child Safety Seat Technicians. These technicians will assist members of the campus community, including students, faculty, staff, patients and visitors with the proper installation of child safety seats.
| 2018 Child Passenger Safety National Best Practice Recommendations |
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| Phase 1 | Rear-Facing Seats | Rear-facing infant or rear-facing convertible safety seat as long as possible, up to the rear-facing height or weight limit of the seat. Properly install according to instructions in owner's manual, rear-facing in the back seat. |
| Phase 2 | Forward-facing Seats | When children outgrow the rear-facing safety seat (minimum 2+ years), they should ride in a forward-facing safety seat as long as possible, up to the upper height or weight limit of the harnesses. Usually 4+ years old. Properly installed forward-facing in the back seat. NEVER turn forward-facing before child meets all: AGE/HEIGHT/WEIGHT requirements set by safety seat manufacturer for forward-facing. |
| Phase 3 | Booster Seats | After age 4 and 40+ pounds and behavior maturity*, children can ride in a booster seat with the adult lap and shoulder belt until the adult safety belt will fit them properly (usually when the child is 10 – 12 years old).
MUST have a lap/shoulder belt to use a booster seat.
*Behavior maturity required according to booster seat owner's manual |
| Phase 4 | Adult Safety Belt | Once children outgrow their booster seat (usually at 10 – 12 years old) they can use the adult lap/shoulder safety belt if it fits them properly according to the vehicle manufacturer's instructions. Lap portion low over the hips/tops of thighs and shoulder belt crosses the center of the shoulder and center of the chest. |
Children are better protected the longer they can stay in each phase. Keep children in each seat up to the maximum age/weight/height limits before moving to the next phase. ALL children younger than age 13 years should ride properly restrained in the back seat. |