Child Passenger Safety Tech

What is a CPS Tech?

Who can become one?

How do you become one?

A CPS Tech is someone who is a child passenger safety enthusiast. Techs are people who share their knowledge about child restraints with parents and caregivers at car seat checks, fitting stations, and informal education sessions. Often police, firefighters, and nurses become tech in order to help families in their communities.

Any person over the age of 18 can become a certified tech. A qualified candidate should be interested in occupant safety or child advocacy and should be physically capable of installing child restraints.

A 32 hour certification class can be taken to become a Child Passenger Safety Technician. If the Tech is more interested in pursuing a career in CPS then becoming an Instructor via the Instructor Candidacy program would be a good path to follow.

Child Safety Seats Video

VideoJug: Child Car Safety Seats

Have you weighed your child lately?

Since it is summer time and we will spend more time in the car due to vacations or activities, I wanted to remind all you moms to WEIGH YOUR CHILDREN and READ the LABELS on the side of your child's car seat and/or the car seat manual!!

Why is this important you might ask? If your child is above the weight limit of their car seat then your child isn't being protected as much as you thought.

Infant Rear-facing only car seats can have weight limits of 20lbs, 22lbs, 25 lbs, or 30lbs. Make sure that you do not place an infant seat in front of an airbag.

Rear-facing Convertible seats can have weight limits of 22lbs, 30lbs, or 35lbs.

Forward-facing 5 point harness seats can have harness limits of 40 lbs, 50 lbs, 65 lbs, or 80 lbs.

Booster seats with built-in harnesses should be used to the maximum weight limit for that harness. The weight limits for this type of car seat can often be confusing. The instructions give one weight limit to be followed with the harness and one weight limit to be followed without the harness.

Booster seats without harnesses should only be used for children who exceed the height and weight of a 5 point harness AND who will remain buckled the entire trip with the lap and shoulder belt across the shoulder and hips. Your child should be able to sit with their back against the vehicle seat and knees bending at the edge of the seat. The lap shoulder belt should come along the hips and across the middle of the shoulder.

Each car seat manufacturer has different weight limits. Be sure to read the labels and/or instructions.

GIVE IT A CHECK TODAY!! If your child is near the weight limit it is time for a new seat or to place the convertible seat forward facing.

Please keep infants and young children rear-facing until they reach the weight and height limits of a rear-facing convertible seat. Children 13-24 months that remain rear-facing have 5 times the protection for their head, neck, and spine as the children 13-24 months that are forward-facing.