Child Safety Seats: Part 2

Last week’s column explained some of the laws applicable to seat belt regulations for children, and when child seats or boosters are required.  In a recent departmental training session sponsored by the U. C. Davis Medical Center, Martha Donaldson explained that many motorists simply do not install their child seats correctly. 

Some of the reasons preventing proper installation of the seats and boosters include: incorrect use of the seat belt, retractable seat belts that are not locked, and when the seat belt is threaded through the seat or booster improperly.

There are inspection stations staffed by certified personnel trained in the proper techniques of installing the seats.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conducts the training and subsequently certifies the personnel.

Today, the nearest inspection stations are in Manteca:  Cabral Chrysler-Jeep, 1115 W. Yosemite Ave., phone: 823-1148 for Bernardo Barajas; and,  Curt Hughes Dodge,
1755 E. Yosemite Avenue, phone: 239-1377 for Richard Hicks.

In the very near future, the Lodi Police Department will have personnel certified by NHTSA to do the inspections.  Citizens will be able to get advice and instruction on keeping the seats secure.  The service will be available at the police department.

If your child isn’t using a booster, but you are not sure whether a booster should be used, try this simple test the next time you ride together in the car.

 The 5-Step Test

 
1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2. Does the child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3. Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4. Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?

If you answered “no” to any of these questions, your child needs a booster seat to ride safely in the car. Kids like boosters because they are more comfortable, too!

For more information, contact:  SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A. , P.O. Box 553, Altadena, CA 91003, www.carseat.org  800/745-SAFE (English), 800/747-SANO (Spanish)

Questions, comments, or observations for Behind the Badge can be emailed to Sergeant William Barry at wbarry@pd.lodi.gov ; mailed to the Lodi Police Department, 215 West Elm Street, Lodi, CA 95240; or phoned in to his voice-mail 333-6800, Box 2409.