Child Safety Seats and Booster Seats
Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for children up to the age of fourteen, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation. Many of these deaths occurred because the children were not properly restrained.
Motor vehicle accidents are also one of the top ten causes of non-fatal injuries for children in this age range.
Most parents agree that their infant or toddler needs to ride in a car seat, but put their older children in a regular seat way too early, which means they are not fully protected if in a car accident.
Seat belts are made for adults. Children won't be ready to use a seat belt until they weigh 80 pounds, or are 4'9" tall. Until that time, the seat belt rides on the abdomen, and the shoulder strap may ride over the neck, either of which can cause serious injuries in an accident.
In July of 2006, legislation was passed that requires children ages 4, 5, 6 and 7, and who weigh less than 80 pounds or are shorter than 4'9" must be in booster seats. Booster seats raise a child up so that the lap and shoulder belts are positioned for safety.
The legislation allowed for a one year warning period and starting in July of 2007, $60.00 citations may be issued.
Current State law requires:
· Infants under the age of one and weigh less than twenty pounds must be in a rear-facing child seat;
· Children ages 1, 2, and 3 must be properly restrained in a forward-facing child seat;
· Children ages 8 to 13 must wear a safety belt.
· Children ages 4 - 7 that weigh 80 pounds or are 4'9" tall are exempt from the booster seat law, but are still required to wear a seat belt.
Most children will sit in a booster seat if parents are firm about it. Emphasize the fact booster seats are for safety, and highlight other features such as the cup holders, arm rests, and being able to look out the window. If the child is resistant to sitting in a high back booster seat, and your car has built-in head rests, then you may be able to use a low-back booster seat, which looks less like a car seat. Low-back booster seats are inexpensive, easy to move between cars, and hard to see from the outside of the car, so your child's friends don't have to know that they are in a car seat, if that is the issue.
Which Car Safety Seat is the Best?
No one car seat is the best or the safest. The best safety seat is the one that fits your child, is correctly installed, and is properly used when you drive. Don't base your decision solely on price when purchasing a car seat. Higher prices usually mean added features that may or may not make the seat safer or easier to use. All car safety seats sold in the
When you find a seat you like, try it out. Put your child in it and adjust the harnesses and buckles. Make it sure it fits properly and securely in your car.
Important Safety Rules
- Never place your child in a rear-facing safety seat in the front seat of a vehicle that has a passenger air bag
- The safest place for all children to ride is in the back seat
- Set a good example: always wear your seat belt
- Each child safety seat is different. Read and keep the instructions that came with your seat handy, and follow the manufacturer's instructions
- Read your car's owner's manual on how to correctly install car safety seats
If you need help installing your car safety seat in
(316) 744-0451
Child Care Association
1069
(316) 838-3900
3222 E. Murdock
(316) 962-2105
Via Christi Regional Medical Center
3600 E. Harry
(316) 689-4714
Rainbows United
2258
(316) 645-7117
Spanish interpreters available with an appointment
Do not use a car seat if any of following apply:
- It is too old. If it was made before January 1981, the seat may not meet safety standards, and its parts are too old to be safe. Some manufacturers recommend using seats only 6 years
- It does not have a label with the date of manufacture and model number. Without these, you cannot check on recalls
- It has been in a crash. It may have weakened and should not be used, even if it looks all right
- It does not come with instructions. Instructions are needed to install the seat correctly. Do not rely on the previous owner's instructions. Get a copy of the manual from the manufacturer
- It has cracks in the frame of the seat
- It is missing parts.
Seat Belts
When your child graduates to safety belts, they need to fit properly:
- The shoulder belt should fit across the middle of the chest and shoulder, not the neck or throat
- The lap belt fits low and snug across the thighs, not the stomach
- The child needs to be able to sit against the vehicle seat back with their legs bent without slouching, and able to stay in this position comfortably throughout the trip
- Never tuck the shoulder belt under the child's arm or behind the back
- Never allow children to share seat belts. All passengers must have their own car safety seats or seat belts
For further information about Child Safety Seats and Booster Seats visit the following sites:
Safekids
http://www.usa.safekids.org/skbu/index.html
SafetyBeltSafe
http://carseat.org
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov (click on the Traffic Safety tab)
National Safety Council
http://www.nsc.org/traf/sbc/sbcchild.htm
BoosterSeat.gov
http://www.boosterseat.gov
http://www.aap.org/family/carseatguide.htm
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
http://www.highwaysafety.org
Fatality facts, air bag information and more
National Transportation Safety Board
http://www.ntsb.gov/Surface/highway/childseat.htm