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Child Passenger Safety Month         February is National Child Passenger Safety Month.  As many of you fellow parents well know, car seats can be challenging to install correctly and cumbersome.  Injury from a car crash is the leading cause of death from injury for children.  All 50 states require the use of car safety seats and child restraint devices for young children.  It is important to choose the correct kind of seat for your child as well as being sure that the seat is installed properly to ensure the safety of our children.     Children should face the rear of the vehicle until they are one year old AND weigh at 20 pounds.  This means if you have a child who is over one year old but still weighs less than 20 pounds they must still be in a rear facing seat.  If you have a child who is less than a year old but weighs more than 20 pounds they must be rear facing until they reach one year of age.  Rear facing seats must not be placed in the front seat of a vehicle with passenger side air bags.  The impact of the air bag can cause death or serious injury to a child in a rear facing car seat.       There are two types of rear facing seats:  infant only seats and convertible seats.  An infant seat is equipped with a carrying handle and has built-in harnesses that cover the child’s upper torso.  Many of these seats have a detachable base that can be left in the vehicle.  The seat itself latches into the base.  This means you don’t have to install it with each use.  These seats are generally used for infants from birth up to 20-30 pounds depending on the manufacturer.  Convertible seats have higher weight limits and can be used by forward facing older children when they reach the appropriate age and weight.  This type of seat is ideal for bigger babies.      When your child is over one year old and weighs over 20 pounds then they can ride in a forward facing seat.  The convertible seats mentioned above are best for this application.  There are three types of harnesses available in convertible seats:  5-point harness, overhead shield and T-shields.  When your child becomes too large for the convertible type seat (weight varies according to the manufacturer) then it’s time to use a booster seat.  Booster seats do not come with harness straps.  They simply boost your child up so that the vehicle’s seat belts can fit your child.  The lap belt should lie low across the child’s waist and upper thighs.  The shoulder strap should cross the middle of your child’s chest.  Both high back and backless booster seats are available.  Your child may ride without a booster seat when the vehicle’s lap and shoulder belts fit your child appropriately (see above for proper fit).      There is no “best” or “safest” car seat.  The best seat is one that fits your child well, can be correctly installed and used properly every time you drive.  There are literally hundreds of seats available to consumers.  The task of picking out the “right one” can be daunting.  Every family has different needs regarding car seats so try them out at the store, put your child in them to ensure proper fit before purchase.     If you need help installing a car seat properly please contact a certified Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Technician.  To find a CPS Technician call 866-SEATCHECK or visit www.seatcheck.org.  If you have any questions regarding your child’s car seat or need further information please contact the TCH Medical Clinic at 368-9964.  Drive safe and ride safe. Derek Nelson, PA-C, MPAS