With any luck we all enjoyed a healthy, happy, and rewarding summer break. To ensure an equally pleasant return to the schoolyard, there is no better time than the present to send out a few quick reminders about child passenger safety.

Every parent should be reminded of the following safe kids tips.

1. Infants must always be placed in a rear-facing seat until they have reached 1 year of age and 20 pounds.
2. If your child is less than one year and weighs more than 20 pounds, make certain that he/she is secured in a rear-facing seat that is approved for their weight. This excludes infant seat carriers with a detachable base.
3. NEVER place a rear-facing infant in front of an air bag.
4. Remember, rear-facing is the safest method of transportation. If you can maintain rear- facing travel after the baby isone year of age, do so as long as reasonably possible.
5. Once your child has graduated to forward facing travel, they are expected to travel in a forward-facing toddler seat until they weigh approximately 40 pounds.
6. All children who have outgrown a toddler seat, and exceed the weight limitations should then be moved to a booster seat for proper restraint until they meet the 8-years or 80 pound threshold.
7. Occasionally a young child will meet the weight requirement very early. Keep in mind; the reason for the booster seat is to ensure proper fit of the vehicle seat belt. If the child has met the weight limit, but the seat belt does not fit properly across the chest and hips a booster is still encouraged for proper safety.
8. Old or previously owned child seats should not be used unless you are certain they have never been involved in a crash and they have all proper and functioning parts. Any seat older than 6 years should be discarded and destroyed.
9. Always read both the Car Seat instructions and the Vehicles Owner's Manual prior to installing your child restraint. Compatibility issues can be a subject for proper installation.
10. Children of all ages are most safe traveling in the backseat.
11. It's essential that the safety seat you have chosen correctly fits your child.
12. Get your seat checked!!!

Please remind your family and friends that the local Police Departments have AAA certified child seat technicians that will assist you in your car seat installations. When the subject is the safety of your children, you can never be too careful.

If you have any questions or concern, please feel free to contact the Montvale Police Department and speak to a technician. Thank you in advance for your anticipated efforts in keeping kids safe.

PO. Alisha R. Spence #118 AAA Certified Technician/Instructor