Keeping up-to-date with Pennsylvania’s Child Restraint Law helps ensure you are correctly using the right seat for your child’s age and size. Following these requirements greatly reduces the chances of death or serious injury in a crash. Your child’s safety in the car requires the right seat, used the right way, every time. Reserve your spot here to come by the station for assistance.
Did You Know…
In Pennsylvania, 9 out of 10 car seats are improperly installed.
Team Educators for Child Safety (TECHS)
Car Seat Safety Chart
Under 2 Years
NEW PA LAW: Children must be rear-facing until age 2.
Best Practice: Children can remain rear-facing after age 2 until they reach the maximum height OR weight limits of the seat.
The Harness:
Height must be at or below shoulder level
Straps must fit snugly (meaning you aren’t able to pinch the webbing at shoulder level)
Chest clip must be at armpit level
The Car Seat:
Must be tightly installed with vehicle safety belt OR lower anchors
Shouldn’t move more than one inch at the belt path
Must recline so infant’s head doesn’t fall forward (refer to recline indicator on the car seat)
Doesn’t include products that are bought separately and not crash tested with the seat (mirror, harness pads, hanging toys, seat protector, etc) unless product is approved by car seat manufacturer.
2 to 4 Years
Best Practice: Children should remain rear-facing in a convertible car seat after age 2 provided they meet the rear-facing requirements for height and weight limits of the car seat. Once a child is forward-facing, they should remain in a five-point harness car seat until they reach the maximum height OR weight of the seat.
The Harness:
Height must be at or above shoulder level for forward-facing
Straps must fit snugly (meaning you aren’t able to pinch the webbing at shoulder level)
Chest clip must be at armpit level
The Car Seat:
Must be tightly installed with vehicle safety belt OR lower anchors and tether (review your LATCH system weight restrictions before installation)
Must be placed in an upright position for forward-facing install
Over 4 Years & Over 40 lbs
PA Law: Children ages 4-8 must be in a booster
The following guidelines are allowed under the law for children who:
Weigh less than 40 lbs: May remain in a five-point harness car seat
Weigh more than 80 lbs, or are taller than 4 feet, 9 inches: May use vehicle safety belt without a booster
Best Practice: Children should remain in a five-point harness car seat until they reach the maximum height OR weight limits of the seat. After that, a high back or backless booster seat should be used until they can properly fit in a vehicle.
Booster Seats:
Raise children up so that the vehicle’s lap/shoulder belt fits them correctly
Are needed until children fit the vehicle safety belt, usually around 4 ft, 9 OR age 10-12 years old.
Should be buckled in when not in use to prevent unnecessary movement child restraint manufacturer.
