Top Safety Tips for Child Passenger Booster Seats

Sep 20, 2016

No matter if it’s Child Passenger Safety Week or any other time of the year, parents and caregivers set a priority that children need to be protected when riding in a vehicle. Classic Toyota in Waukegan, IL is proud of its parent company for taking the lead in this important area and creating Buckle Up for Life, a national injury prevention program for families, along with the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Since its creation in 2004, Buckle Up for Life has reached thousands of parents and families with critical passenger safety information through partnerships with leading children’s hospitals, community organizations, local governments, schools and non-profit organizations to teach parents and children about the proper use of car seats and seat belts and to provide free car seats to families in need. Organizations that offered the program observed a marked improvement in members’ auto safety behaviors.

Our Waukegan Toyota dealership, in conjunction with Buckle Up For Life, would like to present the five top tips for car seat safety:

Purchase a new car seat. While it’s great to save some money on a used seat, the plastic can degrade over time. Plus, car seats for Toyota brands have expiration dates. They can be found on a sticker affixed to the seat.
Check how snug the seat fits the child. Once the child is buckled in, do a quick test. Pinch the car seat strap near the child’s shoulders. If there’s a pinch of fabric, tighten the strap until it’s snug. Next, tug the car seat from side to side and front to back to see if it moves an inch in any direction. If it does, tighten it.
Brand is not an issue. No matter the price or extra features, all car seats sold in the U.S. meet the same federal safety standards.
Keep in mind children shorter than 4’9” need booster seats.
Ask for help. Parents and caregivers might get frustrated with car safety seats. There are many expert resources for additional tips and advice including videos on BuckleUpForLife.org.

Of course, if you have any additional questions, you’re always welcome to contact us at Classic Toyota. We would be more than happy to speak with you!