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INFANTS AND SMALL CHILDREN The Fontana Police Department will educate members of the community regarding all aspects of child safety seats in vehicles by use of hands– on assistance and training to ultimately reduce the number of injuries and/or fatalities related to traffic collisions. A certified child passenger safety technician will conduct inspections and educate parents on the proper use and installation of their child’s safety seat, as well as the laws pertaining to the ultimate safety of their children as passengers in a vehicle. Appointments can be made with the Fontana Police Department. Appointments: Child Passenger Safety Technicians : Heather Howard [PHONE REDACTED] Amber Smith [PHONE REDACTED] CHILD RESTRAINTS CVC 27360(a)- A parent, legal guardian, or driver who transports a child under eight years of age on a highway in a motor vehicle shall properly secure that child in a rear seat in an appropriate child passenger restraint system meeting applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards. CVC 27360(b)- Children must ride rear-facing until they are 2 years old, unless child weighs as least 40 pounds or is at least 40 inches tall. Quick Checklist for Visible Errors: These dangerous mistakes are easy to spot: Child riding unrestrained or sharing belt Child riding in front seat Child under age 2 facing front of car Rear-facing child in front of air bag Harness loose or not on shoulders Chest clip on tummy instead of chest Safety seat not installed Shoulder belt under arm or behind back Shoulder belt close to child’s face (need’s booster) CVC 27360.5(a) Children at least 8 and under 16 must ride in a safety seat, booster or properly fitted vehicle belt. Cite parent/guardian. Cite driver if parent is not in the car. Child safety seat installations are done by appointment with priority given to City of Fontana Residents however, residency in the City is not a requirement. Rear –Facing Seats: -Newborns and infants up to 20-35 pounds (as indicated on each infant seat specifically) -Babies must ride rear-facing until 2 years of age -Seat can never be forward facing Convertible Seats: -Use rear– facing until maximum weight limit on the seat then installed forward facing until maximum weight limit on seat. -Some may also be designed to use as boosters for children over 40lbs. Combination Seats: -Face forward only -Children over 2 years of age -Most can be converted to belt positioning booster after child reaches 40lbs. Booster Seats: -For children over 40 pounds -Must be used with lap and shoulder belts -Lap belt fits low and tight across hips -Shoulder belt crosses the collar bone and center of chest Seat Belt: -Age 8 years old or 4’9” tall -Must be in the back seat unless exempt NHTSA recommends all children 13 and under ride in the back seat. ---PAGE BREAK--- *child is under 13 years of age CVC 27360(a)- Exceptions: Front seat permitted if safety seat cannot be properly installed in back or all rear seats are occupied by children 7 or under. Rear -facing safety seats NEVER permitted in front with active passenger air bag. CVC 27315(d) Cite driver for self and all passengers 16 or older not properly secured in a safety belt. CVC 27315(e) - Cite each passenger 16 or older not properly secured in a safety belt. CVC 27315(f) - Cite registered owner if safety belts have been removed or are not working. Occupant Violations City of Fontana PD Child Safety Seat Installation City of Fontana PD It is recommended a child should NOT ride in the front seat with an active passenger airbag if: CVC 15620- A person responsible for a child age 6 or under may not leave the child inside a vehicle without a person who is at least 12 years of age if there are conditions that present a significant risk to the child’s health or safety or engine is running and/or keys are in the ignition. CVC 23116(a) - Cite driver for persons riding unrestrained in or on the back of a pickup truck or flatbed. CVC 23116(b) - Cite persons riding unrestrained in or on the back of a pickup truck or flatbed. (no exception for camper shell). Unattended Child in a Motor Vehicle PICKUP LAW FPD 354 (Rev 09/20) NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) research shows nearly 60% of car seats are installed or adjusted incorrectly. Vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of death for children between 1 and 13 years old. Fontana Police Department 17005 Upland Ave Fontana, Ca 92335