Freedom Township Volunteer Fire Company

Pennsylvania state law requires that children under age 4 ride in a federally approved car seat ot booster that is appropriate for the child's age, height and weight. Children ages 4 to 8 must use a booster seat if they are no longer in a car seat. Pennsylvania law further requires that children ages 8 to 18 use a seatbelt whenever they are in a vehicle, regardless of seating position.

Car Seat Selection

•  Don’t decide by price alone, a higher price doesn’t always mean the seat is safer. Remember that all car seats for sale in the USA must meet government safety standards.

• Before purchasing a car seat you like, make sure to put your child in it to see if he/she fits into it properly. Car seats are designed for children of different ages, weights and seated heights.

   

• Be sure to purchase one that fits your car, car seats may fit differently in many models of cars and trucks.

   

• Make sure to follow the instructions of the manufacturer on the installation of your car seat. Keep in mind that pictures or displays of car seats may not show them being used the right way.

   

 Important Safety Rules

•    Always use a car seat from your baby’s first ride home from the hospital.

• NEVER place a rear facing car seat in front of an air bag this may cause serious injury or death. Babies must ride in rear facing car seats until they are 12 months of age and weigh 20 pounds. Both of these must be reached before they can be turned to forward facing.

   

• All children that are under the age of 13 are safest riding in the back seat of your vehicle.

   

• Be a good role model and always wear your seatbelt, this will help your child to form a lifelong habit of buckling their seatbelt.

   

• Used car seats can have cracks or missing parts, try to purchase a new seat for your child if possible. Replace any car seats that have been involved in vehicle accidents.

   

• Remember to also read your car owner’s manual for information about installing your car safety seat.

"4 steps for kids"
 

Not sure which child safety seat to use?
Are you looking for a vehicle safety seat for your infant, toddler or 4-8 year old child but overwhelmed by the choices and worried about how to properly install your car seat? The 4 Steps for Kids campaign will help you properly choose and install the correct safety seat for your child.

STEP 1- Rear-Facing Seats 

Infants - from birth to at least 1 year old and at least 20 pounds
For the best possible protection keep infants in the back seat, in rear-facing child safety seats, as long as possible up to the height or weight limit of the particular seat. At a minimum, keep infants rear-facing until a minimum of age 1 and at least 20 pounds.

 STEP 2- Forward-Facing Seats

 Toddlers - Age 1 & 20 lbs to Age 4 & 40 lbs
When children outgrow their rear-facing seats (at a minimum age 1 and at least 20 pounds) they should ride in forward-facing child safety seats, in the back seat, until they reach the upper weight or height limit of the particular seat (usually around age 4 and 40 pounds).

STEP 3- Booster Seats

Children - from about age 4 to at least age 8
Once children outgrow their forward-facing seats (usually around age 4 and 40 pounds), they should ride in booster seats, in the back seat, until the vehicle seat belts fit properly. Seat belts fit properly when the lap belt lays across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt fits across the chest (usually at age 8 or when they are 4’9” tall).

STEP 4- Seat Belts

(this list will be update as more inspection sites are confirmed)