Child Safety Seats

 In Illinois, all children under the age of eight must be secured in an appropriate child safety seat. Child safety seats include infant seats, convertible seats (can be used rear-facing for infants and forward-facing for toddlers) and booster seats that are used with the vehicles lap and shoulder belt system.

Things to consider:

Infants, from birth to at least age 1, and at least 20 pounds, should ride in the back seat in a rear-facing safety seat

Children older than age 1 and at least 20 pounds may ride in a forward-facing safety seat in the back seat. Children should ride in a safety seat secured in the full harness until they weigh about 40 pounds.

All children who have outgrown child safety seats should be properly restrained in booster seats until they reach age 8, unless they are 4’9” tall.

 If you are unable to secure your child seat, or would like assistance in checking your seat for recalls or proper installation, contact your local police department and ask for a “Child Seat Technician.” If they don’t have someone properly trained, please go to www.nhtsa.gov and search for a child seat technician in your area.

The Buffalo Grove Police Department has 5 officers who are specially trained and certified to correctly install child safety seats in your vehicle. To schedule an appointment with a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician in Buffalo Grove, please call the Police Department at 847-459-2560. Installations and inspections are done on Tuesdays only.

It is recommended that a child safety seat be no more than 5 years old from the date of manufacture. Every child safety seat has an information sticker than includes the model number, model name, serial number and date of manufacture. Child safety seats are typically made of plastic, which can, over time, break down from exposure to heat and cold weather. If the seat is more than 5 years old, we cannot install the seat.

Please visit www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/drivers/programs/kiss.html and www.Buckleupillinois.org  for more information.