- Home
- Government
- Departments
- Police
- Community Policing
- Child Restraint Programs
Child Restraint Programs
Child Passenger Safety Best Practice Recommendations
Children are better protected the longer they can stay in each phase. Keep children in each seat up to the maximum age / weight / height limits before moving to the next phase.Request an Inspection
To have your child safety seat inspected for proper installation please contact a public safety professional (PSP) 972-216-6759.
Infants: Birth - 35 Pounds
In a new policy statement published in the April 2011 issue of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Pediatrics now advises parents to keep toddlers in rear-facing car seats until age 2, or until they exceed the height or weight limit for the car seat, which can be found on the back of the seat.
Previously, the AAP advised parents to keep kids rear-facing as long as possible, up to the maximum limit of the car seat, and this has not changed.
But it also cited one year and 20 pounds as the minimum for flipping the seat, which many parents and pediatricians interpreted as conventional wisdom on the best time to make the switch.
- Use a rear-facing infant or rear-facing convertible safety seat as long as possible, up to the rear-facing height or weight limit of the seat.
- Properly install rear-facing in the back seat.
In a new policy statement published in the April 2011 issue of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Pediatrics now advises parents to keep toddlers in rear-facing car seats until age 2, or until they exceed the height or weight limit for the car seat, which can be found on the back of the seat.
Previously, the AAP advised parents to keep kids rear-facing as long as possible, up to the maximum limit of the car seat, and this has not changed.
But it also cited one year and 20 pounds as the minimum for flipping the seat, which many parents and pediatricians interpreted as conventional wisdom on the best time to make the switch.
When children outgrow the rear-facing safety seat, they should ride in a forward-facing safety seat as long as possible, up to the upper height or weight limit (40-80 pounds) of the harnesses. Usually 4+ years old. Properly installed forward-facing in the back seat.
Note: Never turn forward-facing before the child is at least 1 year old and weighs 20-22 pounds.
Note: Never turn forward-facing before the child is at least 1 year old and weighs 20-22 pounds.
After the age of 4 and weighing at least 40 pounds, children can ride in a booster seat with the adult lap and shoulder belt.
Note: You must have a lap / shoulder belt to use a booster seat. Always read manufacturers label for weight and height restrictions.
Legal Requirement
All children younger than 8 years old, unless taller than 4 feet 9 inches, need to be in child passenger safety seat system. This system includes traditional car seats with harnesses and booster seats – both high-back and backless versions.
Note: You must have a lap / shoulder belt to use a booster seat. Always read manufacturers label for weight and height restrictions.
Legal Requirement
All children younger than 8 years old, unless taller than 4 feet 9 inches, need to be in child passenger safety seat system. This system includes traditional car seats with harnesses and booster seats – both high-back and backless versions.
Once children outgrow their booster seat (usually at a height of 4 feet 9 inches and a weight of 100 pounds) they can use the adult safety belt if it fits them properly.
Note: The lap portion should be low over the hips/tops of thighs and the shoulder belt should cross at the center of the shoulder and center of the chest.
Note: The lap portion should be low over the hips/tops of thighs and the shoulder belt should cross at the center of the shoulder and center of the chest.
Legal Requirements for Child Passenger Safety Seat Systems
TRC 545.412. Child Passenger Safety Seat Systems; Offense
(a) A person commits an offense if the person operates a passenger vehicle, transports a child who is younger than 8 years of age, unless the child is taller than 4 feet, 9 inches and does not keep the child secured during the operation of the vehicle in a child passenger safety seat system according to the instructions of the manufacturer of the safety seat system.
Sec. 545.413. Safety Belts; Offense
A person commits an offense if the person:
TRC 545.412. Child Passenger Safety Seat Systems; Offense
(a) A person commits an offense if the person operates a passenger vehicle, transports a child who is younger than 8 years of age, unless the child is taller than 4 feet, 9 inches and does not keep the child secured during the operation of the vehicle in a child passenger safety seat system according to the instructions of the manufacturer of the safety seat system.
Sec. 545.413. Safety Belts; Offense
A person commits an offense if the person:
- Is at least 15 years of age
- Is riding in a passenger vehicle while the vehicle is being operated
- Is occupying a seat that is equipped with a safety belt
- Is not secured by a safety belt
- As the operator of a school bus equipped with a safety belt for the operator's seat, the person is not secured by the safety belt
- Operates a passenger vehicle that is equipped with safety belts and
- Allows a child who is younger than 17 years of age and who is not required to be secured in a child passenger safety seat system under Section 545.412(a) to ride in the vehicle without requiring the child to be secured by a safety belt, provided the child is occupying a seat that is equipped with a safety belt