Trooper Tips: Buckle up the little ones.

I always talk a lot about seatbelts, and how they save lives. Using your seatbelt is quite simple, you grab the strap, pull it over you and click the buckle. It makes sure you survive in a crash. But when it comes to securing your little ones in car seats, they are often installed improperly.

It's really no fault of parents that child safety seats are not as secure as they should be. Today's car seats are complicated. That is why there is help out there for any parents, grandparents, or guardians who have young ones that need car seats or booster installation assistance.

If you are unsure whether the car seat is secured properly you can call any of our state patrol offices located throughout the state. We have trained troopers available to assist you. There are also firemen who are trained in installation as well.

There are several ways the seats may be secured in your car. To secure the base of the car seat you may use the seatbelt to secure it to the vehicle or there are metal hooks that work the same way. There are also top tethers to help the stability of the seat from being moved forward during a crash.

You want the seat so it doesn't move around during a crash or hard braking. If any part of the installation confuses you, don't hesitate to call one of the experts to help.

Here are the requirements for your children as to which seat will be best for them. Which car seat you use and how to use it depends on two primary factors: how old the child is, and how much the child weighs.

When your child is younger than one year old and less than 20 pounds, they should be in a rear-facing seat in the back seat only.

Children ages one to three and weighing less than 20 pounds should be in a rear facing seat. A child 20 to 40 pounds. can be in a rear or forward-facing seat. Experts now want the child to be in a rear facing seat as long as possible.

Children ages four to seven and weighing 20 to 40 pounds can be in a forward-facing seat or booster. Forty pounds or more is the same rule.

Once your children are ages eight to 15 and 40 pounds or more, they can move to a booster seat.

When looking at booster seats, make sure the shoulder belt crosses the shoulder and chest, not the neck. The lap belt must lie flat across the upper thighs, not the stomach.

As always, safe travels.