Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Restraints

Help protect what is most precious in our lives. The Johnston County Health Department offers Convertible Seats, Combination Seats, and Booster Seats to eligible participants. Those eligible for a child restraint would be the legal guardian of the child who receives some form of government assistance, and only if the child is present. However, we do give free installations and free check ups if you already have a child restraint and want it checked or installed. We have a certified CPS Technician who will educate and instruct you on how to properly install a child restraint.

4 out of 5 kids are not as secure as they should be because their car seats are not being used correctly. Properly installed car seats and booster seats reduce the chance of death in a motor vehicle crash by 71% for infants under 1 year and 54% for toddlers ages 1 - 4. Know the law and protect your children.

Oklahoma's Child Passenger Safety Law

Birth - 2 Years:    Rear-Facing
All children under age 2 must be properly secured in a rear-facing car seat.

• Rear-facing is the safest way for small children to travel.
• They should remain rear-facing until they reach 2 years of age or until they exceed the height and weight limit of the car seat.

2 - 4 Years:    Forward-Facing
All children under age 4 must be properly secured in a car seat with an internal harness.

• A 5-point harness is the safest restraint system and should be used as long as possible (until the child exceeds the harness' weight limit).

4 - 8 Years:    Booster
All children at least 4 years old (but younger than age 8) must ride in a child passenger restraint system or booster seat, unless they are taller than 4' 9".

• A booster seat should be used until the child can properly fit into a seat belt.

8 Years and Older:    Seat Belt
All children taller than 4' 9" (or age 8 and up) should be restrained in a seat belt.

• Front seat airbags may hurt small children
• Riding in the back seat of the vehicle is the safest way for children to travel.
• It is recommended that children under 13 years of age ride in the back seat.
  

5 Ways Restraints Prevent Injury
(By Safe Kids)

• Prevent ejection.
• Contact the strongest parts of the body.
• Spread forces over a wide area of the body.
• Help the body to "ride down" the crash.
• Protect the head and spinal cord.
  

Important Tips:

• Fits Your Vehicle
  • Not every car seat can be installed correctly in every car. Try before you buy.
• Know The Limits
  • ALWAYS follow the weight and height limits of the car seat.
• Age Is Important
  • The younger children are, the more fragile they are, and the more protection they need.
• Easy For You To Use
  • Try out the features of the car seat. Choose and car seat that will be easy for you to use correctly every time.

Helpful CPS Links  

NHTSA -- Nation Highway Traffic Safety Administration
http://www.nhtsa.gov/
 

Safe Kids USA
http://www.safekids.org/
 

For more information: 
1080 S. Byrd
Tishomingo, OK 73460
Phone: 580-371-2470
Fax: 580-371-3347
 

Confidentiality is very important.
The Johnston County Health Department will not release any health information without our client's knowledge unless we are required to by law.
This institution is prohibited from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.