TxDPS - Child Passenger Safety Information

Frequently Asked Questions About Child Passenger Safety and Safety Belt Use (PDF)

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued new recommendations in their April 2011 publication, Pediatrics, addressing best practice when transporting children. This is not a change in Texas statute, however, parents and caregivers are encouraged to follow the new AAP Guidelines (PDF) when transporting children.
Hyperthermia (heat stroke/heat related) Deaths: Last year there were 49 children in the U.S. killed by hyperthermia (heat-stroke). Unfortunately, Texas led the nation with 13 of those deaths. Never Leave Your Child Alone in a Car, a Safe Kids Wordwide program, is dedicated to educating the public about this issue. For information on how you can prevent child hyperthermia deaths from occurring, visit Safe Kids.
The following presentations are designed to help answer questions that law enforcement officers and the general public may have concerning the changes to the child safety seat and occupant safety laws: 545.412 and 545.413
- DPS Basic Child Passenger Safety PDF | PPT

Child Passenger Safety Best Practice Recommendations
Phase 1	Rear-Facing Seats	Infants: Birth - 35 pounds. Rear-facing infant or rear-facing convertible safety seat as long as possible,up to the rear-facing height or weight limit of the seat. Properly install rear-facing in the back seat.
Phase 2	Forward-facing Seats	When children outgrow the rear-facing safety seat, they should ride in a forward-facing safety seat as long as possible, up to the upper height or weight limit (40 - 80 pounds) of the harnesses. Usually 4+ years old. Properly installed forward-facing in the back seat. NEVER turn forward-facing before 1 year old AND 20-22 pounds.
Phase 3	Booster Seats	After age 4 and 40+ pounds, children can ride in a booster seat with the adult lap and shoulder belt until the adult safety belt will fit them properly (usually when the child is 4'9" tall). MUST have a lap/shoulder belt to use a booster seat.
Phase 4	Adult Safety Belt	Once children outgrow their booster seat (usually at 4'9", 100 pounds) they can use the adult safety belt if it fits them properly. Lap portion low over the hips/tops of thighs and shoulder belt crosses the center of the shoulder and center of the chest.
Children are better protected the longer they can stay in each phase. Keep children in each seat up to the maximum age/weight/height limits before moving to the next phase.

For more information, contact Beth Warren, Occupant Safety Programs Coordinator at occupantsafety@dps.texas.gov or (512) 424-5639.