Welcome to Iowa’s Child Passenger Safety Program, your trusted resource for keeping children safe in vehicles. Supported by the Iowa Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, this program, based at Blank Children’s Hospital, is dedicated to providing essential information and assistance regarding child passenger safety.
Iowa Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau logo for child passenger safety programs, emphasizing traffic safety and child well-being.
Navigating child passenger safety can be overwhelming, but understanding the guidelines and resources available is crucial. The Iowa Child Passenger Safety Program offers guidance and support to ensure every child passenger is properly secured. For parents and caregivers seeking help with car seats, Iowa provides resources and potentially free car seat programs to assist families in need.
Iowa’s Commitment to Child Passenger Safety: Resources for Parents
As children grow, their car seat needs evolve. To help parents and caregivers stay informed, the Iowa Child Passenger Safety Program offers resources based on the Iowa Child Passenger Safety Law and Best Practice Guidelines. These guidelines are designed to help you choose the right car seat and use it correctly, ensuring optimal protection for your child.
Car Seat Safety Checklist: Are You Using Your Car Seat Correctly?
Using a car seat correctly is vital for your child’s safety. Review this checklist to ensure proper car seat usage:
- Appropriateness: Is the car seat suitable for your child’s current age, weight, and height, according to the manufacturer’s instructions?
- Seat Belt Routing: Is the vehicle seat belt threaded through the car seat correctly, following the manufacturer’s directions?
- Rear-Facing Limits: If rear-facing, is your child within the car seat’s maximum weight and height limits?
- Forward-Facing Tether: If forward-facing, is the tether strap properly connected to the designated anchor point in your vehicle?
- Installation Tightness: Is the car seat tightly installed? It should move less than one inch when tested at the belt path.
Harness Safety (if applicable):
- Harness Slots: Are the harness straps threaded through the correct slots for your child’s height?
- Harness Snugness: Are the harness straps snug? You should not be able to pinch any slack.
- Retainer Clip Position: Is the harness retainer clip positioned at armpit level, as per the manufacturer’s instructions?
Booster Seat Safety (if applicable):
- Shoulder Belt Fit: Does the shoulder belt lay correctly across your child’s collarbone?
- Lap Belt Position: Does the lap belt fit low and snug across the top of your child’s thighs?
For personalized assistance and further information about free car seat program options in Iowa, or to address any specific child passenger safety concerns, please reach out to the Iowa Child Passenger Safety Program coordinators:
Riley Maher, Iowa Child Passenger Safety Program Coordinator (515) 241-3262 [email protected]
Jessica LaCroix, Iowa Special Needs Child Passenger Safety Coordinator (515) 241-6293 [email protected]
They are dedicated to helping you navigate child passenger safety and can provide guidance on available resources in Iowa.
