Child Passenger Safety

Common Errors

Child does not meet the weight and height requirements of safety seat.
Child is too small or too young for safety seat.
Safety seat is too old or the history of a safety seat is unknown.
Safety seat has been involved in a moderate to severe crash.
Safety seat is under current recall (check with your child safety seat manufacturer.

Safety seat is facing the wrong direction (based on child’s age and weight).
Recline angle of the safety seat is incorrect.
Carrying handle of infant carrier positioned incorrectly while vehicle is in motion (refer to safety seat owner’s manual for correct position).
Safety seat should only be installed with a seat belt OR lower anchors and tethers (LATCH), not both (unless specified by the car seat manufacturer).
Use of the wrong seat belt path.
Incorrect use of lower anchors and tethers.
Seat belt or lower anchors too loose or not locked securely (car seat should not move more than one inch at the seat belt path).
NEVER install a rear-facing child safety seat in front of an active airbag.

Use only products/accessories (padding, harness strap covers, toys hanging from the infant carrier handle, etc.) that come with your child’s safety seat or those that have been approved by the child safety seat manufacturer. Products that do not come with your child’s safety seat have not been crash tested with the seat and it is unknown if these items compromise the safety of your child in the event of a motor vehicle crash.
This also applies to the vehicle seat belt. Do not add covers, adjusters or tightening tools that are not approved by the vehicle manufacturer.

Mailing Address:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Injury Prevention Service
123 Robert S. Kerr. Ave Suite 1702
Oklahoma City, OK 73102-6406

Physical Address:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Injury Prevention Service
123 Robert S. Kerr. Ave
Oklahoma City, OK

Telephone: (405) 426-8440
Fax: (405) 900-7588

Safe Kids (405) 789-6711 ext. 2401