The new rules define the required time a child needs to remain in a rear-facing seat and changes the weight requirement for forward-facing seats used with a harness.
UPDATE: As of June 14, 2019, Governor Janet Mills signed new child safety seat rules into law, An Act To Update Laws Governing Child Safety ( LD 1269).
Many babies are delivered within the month surrounding the due date, so being prepared may help eliminate a lot of unnecessary stress. IMPORTANT, if your family is expecting a baby, plan at least 3 weeks ahead of the due date to have your child safety seat installed in your vehicle.
The best method to use for car seat installation is the method you understand and can install correctly every time (see the four easy steps below).įor information concerning free Child Safety Seat check events or Car Seat Inspection Locations, visit the Car Seat Check Events page or Car Seat Inspection Station Locations page. Exceptions can only be made if it states specifically to use both in the car seat owners manual. Never combine installation methods, use seatbelts or LATCH but never both together.
Use the vehicle owner’s manual for location of LATCH in your vehicle and additional user information. Nearly every car seat, and most vehicles manufactured since Septemare required to have the LATCH system. Another method is LATCH, which is an acronym for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. One method is with the use of seat belt systems, lap belts or lap and shoulder belts.
There are several types of child safety seats, and car seat installation methods for securing these seats to a vehicle. Looking for the “right” safety restraint? To get the “right” CSS, choose a seat that fits your child and your car, and be sure to read the instructions carefully, and use the seat correctly on every trip. Car seat manufacturers are required to provide safety restraints that meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), to ensure good protection for your child when used correctly. There are many different types of child safety seats (CSS) on the market today. Only consistent and correct use of child safety seats will offer the protection your child needs. Upwards of 3 out of every 4 children in child restraints are not properly secured, some not restrained at all. The proper use of child restraints (i.e., car seats, booster seats, seat belts) is the most effective methods available to prevent fatalities in a motor vehicle crash. Motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of unintentional deaths of children under 16 years of age in the United States.