(625 ILCS 25/) Child Passenger Protection Act
The purpose of this Act is to further protect the health, safety, and welfare of motor vehicle passengers under the age of 8 years old, as well as the motoring public, through the proper utilization of approved child restraint systems.
The Child Passenger Protection Act requires that all children under age 8 be properly secured in an appropriate child safety restraint system. This includes the use of booster seats, which must only be used with a lap/shoulder safety belt.
As a courtesy to City of St. Charles residents, the St. Charles Police Department conducts child seat safety inspections to verify child restraint seats are installed correctly and used safely. Our child restraint seat technicians will also instruct the vehicle/seat owners on the proper installation and use of the car seat.
Inspections are held on each Thursday of the month. Inspection appointments are 45 minutes in length and an appointment is required for each child safety seat. Safety seats should be installed prior to the appointment. Please be sure to bring all components of the seat to your appointment; including both the base and carrier for infant car seats.
Appointments may be made by emailing Community Service Officer Ryan Beeter at rbeeter@stcharlesil.gov or calling him at (630) 443-3865.
Child Safety Seat Guidelines
Always follow the vehicle manufacturers manual for proper installation of child safety seats. In addition, always read and follow the safety seat instruction manual for the installation of your child safety seat and you must follow the age, height and weight requirements.
Child Passenger Safety Tips
- Keep children in rear-facing safety seats as long as possible.
- Keep children in the back seat at least through age 12.
- Never place a rear-facing safety seat in front of an active airbag.
- A used safety seat may not be safe unless you know the history of the seat and all labels, parts, and instructions are present.
- Always register your safety seat with the manufacturer so you can be notified of recalls.
- Do not use a safety seat that is expired. Check with your specific manufacturer for the expiration time dates. If unable to locate information on your child seat, the seat should not be utilized if it is more than six years past the manufacture date stamped on the seat.
- Non-regulated products such as toys attached to the safety seat, mirrors, window shades, and belt tightening tools are not recommended unless the safety seat manufacturer allows their use.
- All objects in the vehicle should be stowed in the trunk or tied down, as they can become projectiles if a crash or sudden stop occurs.
Further information regarding child restraint seats and seat belts is available through the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office at here.