Child Passenger Safety: Check Before You Drive

It only takes a minute to make sure a child is buckled in safely. During Child Passenger Safety Week, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) is asking every parent and caregiver to run through these quick checks before you pull away.

Is It the Right Seat?

Choose a car seat or booster based on your child’s:

• Age
• Height
• Weight

Check the labels on the seat and follow the seat manufacturer’s limits, not age alone. As your child grows, check those limits again so the seat still fits.

Is the Seat Secure?

Even the right seat can’t do its job if it isn’t installed tightly. Use the one-inch test:

1. Grip the car seat at the belt path.
2. It should not move more than one inch side to side or front to back.
3. Always follow the car-seat and vehicle manuals.

Is the Harness Secure?

Once your child is buckled in, take a few seconds to check that:

• The straps lie flat.
• The chest clip is at armpit level.
• The harness is snug.
• Bulky coats are removed before buckling up.

Back Seat Until Age 13

Children should ride in the back seat until age 13. That includes older kids who have moved out of a car seat and into a seat belt. Whether your child rides in a car seat, a booster, or a seat belt, the goal is the same: protect every child on every trip.

Quick Checklist Before Every Ride

• Right seat for your child’s age, height, and weight.
• Seat moves no more than one inch at the belt path.
• Straps flat, chest clip at armpit level, harness snug.
• No bulky coats under the harness.
• Kids under 13 ride in the back.