Did you know more than half of car seats are not used or installed correctly? Correctly used child safety seats can reduce the risk of death by as much as 71%.  Car seat safety isn’t only good practice, it’s the law. We want to help keep our young residents safe! A Child Passenger Safety Technician here at South Whidbey Fire/EMS provides car seat safety checks.

Free car seat checks are by appointment only, please email carseats@swfe.org to schedule an appointment.  

• Car seat checks can take 30 minutes or longer per seat.
• Our certified Child Passenger Safety Technician will educate the caregiver on proper installment, the next step as the child grows, current laws and possible recalls.
• We want the caregiver leaving feeling confident with installing the car seat properly and securing the child properly every time.

Basic Installation Tips

• Installing - The Ultimate Car Seat Guide (safekids.org)

WASHINGTON CHILD RESTRAINT LAWS

• Children up to age 2 must be properly secured in a rear-facing car seat.
• Children ages 2-4 must ride in a car seat with a harness (rear or forward facing)
• Children 4 and older must ride in a car or booster seat until they are 4’9” tall.
• Children over height 4’9” must be secured by a properly fitted seat belt.
• Children up to age 13 must ride in the back seat when practical to do so.

Is your child ready for a seat belt? We recommend taking the five-step test. Must say yes to all.

1. Back against vehicle seat; no slouching.
2. Knees bend at the edge of seat.
3. Lap belt low across upper thighs & shoulder belt across mid shoulder.
4. Feet rest on the floor.
5. Remain in position entire trip.

Resources:

THESE ARE EXTERNAL SITES, YOU WILL BE LEAVING THE SWFE WEBSITE

• Washington State Car Seat Laws - WA Child Passenger Safety (wacarseats.com)
• https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/child-safety
• https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats#install-instructions
• https://www.safekids.org/