W.H.A.L.E. CHECK - Child Passenger Safety

We  Have  A  Little  Emergency

W.H.A.L.E. CHECK is a child passenger safety education and identification program for parents and caregivers funded by the Florida Department of Transportation. In the event of an automobile crash, children are often too young to identify themselves or provide helpful information. Download W.H.A.L.E. CHECK, Fill out the form, and tape on the back of your child’s car seat to provide vital contact information for emergency personnel. Tape the two smaller whale logos on each side of the car seat. These will alert rescuers that the occupant is participating in W.H.A.L.E. CHECK.

5 Smart Safety Tips to Help Prevent Injuries:

1. WEAR YOUR SAFETY BELT: Studies show that if you wear your seat belt, your kids will too.
2. FOLLOW MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS: Always check the manual for both your car and the child safety seat for proper installation guidelines.
3. SEAT STRAPPED IN TIGHT : You should not be able to move the car seat more than one inch in any direction at the belt path, and always use the top tether when forward facing.
4. CHEST CLIP AT ARMPIT LEVEL & HARNESS SNUG: Straps should be tight enough so that you cannot pinch the fabric of the harness at the shoulders.
5. BACK SEAT IS SAFEST: Children age 13 and under should ride in the back seat. Older children no longer need a special seat if their legs bend comfortably at the seat’s edge with their back resting flat against the back of the seat.

Safeguard your child in the right car seat!

• BIRTH - 12 MONTHS:  Babies under age 1 should always ride in a rear-facing car seat. There are different types of rear-facing car seats: Infant-only seats can only be used rear-facing. Convertible and 3-in-1 car seats typically have higher height and weight limits for the rear-facing position, allowing you to keep your child rear-facing for a longer period of time.
  
• 1-3 YEARS:  Toddlers should ride in a rear-facing car seat with a harness as long as possible – until they reach the top height or weight limit of the seat, typically around 35 to 45 pounds.
  
• 4 - 7 YEARS:  Young children should ride in a forward-facing car seat with a harness until they reach the top height or weight limit of the seat – typically between 40 and 60 pounds.
  
• 8 - 12 YEARS:  Children should ride in a belt-positioning booster seat until they are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall.  Seat belts fit properly when the lap belt lies snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach, and the shoulder belt lies snug across the shoulder and chest, not over the neck or face.

For More Information visit TrafficSafetyTeam.org/Whale-Check-Program