Skip to Content

Child Passenger Safety

Why Car Seats?

Child car seats can reduce injury and death by up to 71 percent when used correctly.  Illinois law states that children under the age of 8 must travel in an approved child restraint. Use car seats correctly, not because it’s the law, but because they could save your child’s life.  In Illinois, 80 percent of child safety seats are not installed correctly, increasing risk for injury.  Learn how to use your car seat by carefully following directions in your car seat manual, and in your vehicle owner’s manual.  Consult a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician with further questions.  Technicians can be located by calling the NHTSA hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT or at www.nhtsa.dot.gov.

Rear Facing Car Seats

  • The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all infants should ride rear-facing starting with their first ride home from the hospital.  All infants and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing car safety seat until they are 2 years of age or until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat's manufacturer.
  • Babies should ride in the back seat, facing the rear of the vehicle to protect their neck and spinal cord.
  • NEVER put a rear-facing seat in front of an active air bag.
  • Rear-facing car seats include infant seats and convertible seats.
  • For children more than 20 pounds, but not yet 1 year old, select a seat labeled for 30 pounds or larger.
  • Harness straps MUST be in lower slots at or below shoulders.
  • Recline rear-facing seats at a 30 to 45-degree angle, using a firmly rolled towel or pool noodle under the front of the seat if necessary. 
  • Keep shoulder straps snug, with the harness clip at armpit level.

Forward-Facing Car Seats

  • All children 2 years or older, or those younger than 2 years who have outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit for their car safety seat should use a forward-facing car safety seat with a harness for as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat's manufacturer.  
  • Position forward-facing seats upright.
  • Consult instruction manual for proper adjustment of shoulder straps. Harness straps should be at or above the shoulders.
  • Keep harness straps snug.
  • Always use the harness clip at armpit level.
  • Children who have outgrown their forward-facing car seats need to use a belt-positioning booster seat.
  • The child's head should not be more than 1 inch over the shell of the seat.

Booster Seats

  • Children who have outgrown their forward-facing seat should be properly restrained in belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle seat belt fits properly when they are between 8 and 12 years old, and they are 4 foot 9 inches tall.
  • Small children are not developed enough to keep adult safety belts positioned safely.
  • A booster seat helps a lap and shoulder belt fit low on the hips and snug on the shoulder.
  • No back belt-positioning booster seats are used with a shoulder-lap belt for children more than 40 pounds. 
  • High back belt-positioning booster seats provide head support for use in vehicles with low seat backs.
  • Booster seats MUST be used with BOTH lap and shoulder belts.

Safety Belts

  • Children 12 years of age and younger should ride in the back seat.
  • Children 4 feet 9 inches tall usually fit correctly in a lap/shoulder belt.
  • Lap and shoulder belts should fit low on the hips and snug over the shoulder.
  • Children should be tall enough to sit with knees bent at the edge of the seat without slouching.
  • Never let children put a shoulder belt under their arm or behind their back.
  • All passengers in all positions in the vehicle must ALWAYS be properly restrained.
  • Children whose parents wear safety belts are more likely to continue using safety belts when they become drivers.

Use Your Car Seat Correctly!

  • The back seat is the safest place for a child of any age.
  • Follow your car seat manual and your vehicle owner’s manual for correct use.
  • Depress the child seat into the vehicle seat cushion when installing the child seat. 
  • Route the safety belt correctly through the car seat.
  • Seat belts or lower anchors are both safe to use, but do not use both systems at the same time.  Use the system that you are most comfortable with and that provides the best installation. 
  • Get a TIGHT fit: the seat should not move more than 1 inch side to side if shaken at the belt path.  Tightness of the child's seat should be checked frequently. 
  • Consult a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician to check for a correct fit.
  • Replace any car seat that has been in a crash.
  • Mail the car seat registration card to be notified of recalls. Recalls may also be checked by calling the National Highway Traffic Safety Hotline at 888-DASH-2-Dot.

Child Safety

Taught by a registered nurse and child passenger safety technician, this class focuses on proper car seat installation and seat belt usage.  General safety issues in the home are also covered.

Register for this FREE program or call 866-4COPLEY (1-866-426-7539).

Be a Buckle Buddy!

Be A Buckle Buddy! is a public service program featuring a toll-free, statewide, hotline that allows any concerned individual to anonymously report unbuckled children in Illinois. Be A Buckle Buddy! is non-punitive. Reported drivers will receive an informative packet filled with Safe Kids and child passenger safety information, along with a copy of current Illinois child passenger safety laws.

To report an unrestrained child in Illinois please call 1-888-800-2642.