Going into a Booster Seat Too Soon? Check to Make Sure YOU Aren't Endangering Your Child's Life!


Continuing out Child Passenger Seat Safety Reminders this month....

booster seat rules

86% of parents move children into booster seats too soon, according to a recent Safe Kids Worldwide report released last week. Even more risky, is one in five parents of young children admits to “bending the rules” when carpooling, letting children ride without car seats, booster seats and sometimes even seatbelts. 

The study found seven in ten parents do not know that a child should be at least 57 inches (4’9”) AND between 80 and 100 pounds, to ride in a car without a booster seat. In fact, in practice, nine out of ten parents move a child from a booster seat to a seat belt too soon. 

Motor vehicle crashes are the second-leading cause of death for children 4 to 10 years old. In 2012, 340 children this age died in motor vehicle crashes. A third of these children were riding without a restraint that could have potentially saved their lives.  Many children of this age should be riding in booster seats which have been shown to reduce the risk of serious injury by 45 percent compared to seat belts alone. The seats in your car are designed for ADULTS, not for children. They are made to absorb impact for an adult, not a small child, as are side impact areas. Without the booster putting your child to the correct height, you may be endangering them, even in a 'safe' car.

The study is very timely, and reminds us of the importance of safety on the road, no matter what type of vehicle you own, when you have children on board!

Kids may scream about still being in a booster, but when they walk away from a serious crash, you will be glad you kept them in that booster!

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