Inspections are Free Child Safety is important to us at Meridian Fire Department. Our certified car seat technicians perform child safety seat inspections free of charge. Inspections are available at several locations in Meridian. Please contact the Meridian Fire Educator at 884-0597 to schedule an appointment.
Always Practice Seat Safety Start practicing seat safety from the very first ride home from the hospital. Newborns to one year old babies should ride in a semi-reclined, rear facing safety seat in the back seat of the vehicle. Household carriers are not designed to act as a safety seat. Never travel with your baby in your arms. The force of a crash, even as slow as 30 mph, will pull the infant from your arms. Children should ride in safety seats up to the age of eight. Kids older than 8 years should still ride in the back seat and wear a shoulder/lap seat belt. The lap belt should lay across hips, not the stomach and the shoulder belt is across the shoulder, not across the neck, under his arm or behind the child.
Safety Seat Guidelines for Each Age Category
INFANTS
TODDLERS
PRESCHOOLERS
WEIGHT
Birth up to 20 lbs
Over age 1 and is 20 - 40 lbs
Under age 8 and over 40 lbs
TYPE OF SEAT
Infant only or Convertible
Convertible
Convertible or booster seat
SEAT POSITION
Rear facing only
Forward facing
Forward facing
Guidelines for All Children
Always have children ride in the back seat and never in front of an air bag.
Safety seats are buckled tightly in the car and don't move more than 1 inch when pulled.
Safety seat straps are snug on the child and parents can't fit more than one finger under the strap.
Use safety seats that are made for your child's age and size.
Refer to your car owners manual for installation instructions of the seat.
