As we enter the holiday travel season and visit with family, friends, and loved ones, Nissan North America, Inc. would like to remind parents and caregivers of the importance of child seat safety during the holiday season and into the New Year.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2002, nearly 500 children under age five were tragically lost in the U.S. as a result of traffic collisions and improper usage of safety restraints. NHTSA's research shows that fatalities can be reduced by as much as 71 percent with the proper usage of safety seats.
Attached please find Nissan's child passenger safety instructions available in English and Spanish. Some of the important child seat safety tips are:
• Infants must face rearward until they are at least 1 year old and 20 lbs.
• Never place a rear facing child safety seat in front of an air bag the child could be killed or seriously injured.
• Harness straps should be kept very snug. There should be no slack or twists in the straps.
• Chest clip should always be at armpit level.
• Vehicle seat belt should be in the correct location tightly securing the safety seat.
• Confirm that the belt is not twisted and the buckle is positioned correctly. A twisted belt or improperly facing buckle may inhibit proper tightening.
• Child safety seat should not be able to be pushed or pulled more than 1 inch toward the front or sides of the car.
• Only children over one year old and over 20 lbs. should ride facing forward.
• Booster seats should be used for most children from 4 - 8 years old.
• Booster seats should only be used with a lap/shoulder seat belt.
• ALL children 12 and under should always ride in the back seat.
Every day of every month should be designated for child safety, however, this holiday season and throughout 2005, it is critical that parents and caregivers travel safely with children using proper child safety seat techniques and procedures.
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