Sept. 13-19, 2015 is National Child Passenger Safety Week
(National Seat Check Saturday is Sept. 19)
Janet Hackert, Nutrition and Health Education Specialist, Harrison County, University of Missouri Extension
Child safety seats and booster seats may seem like a hassle, but it’s important to know how to use them properly to protect children. Car crashes kill more children 1 to 14 years old than any other cause, so adults need to know which child safety seats to use and how to install them correctly.
Missouri’s Child Restraint Law states the following:
- Child Safety Seat: Children under 4 years old or weighing less than 40 pounds must be in an appropriate child safety seat.
- Booster seat with lap and shoulder belt: Children 4 to 7 years old who weigh at least 40 pounds must be in an appropriate child safety seat or booster seat unless they are 80 pounds or 4’9″ tall.
- Lap and shoulder safety belts: Children 8 years and older or weighing at least 80 pounds or at least 4’9″ tall are required to be secured by a safety belt or booster seat appropriate for that child.
For helpful information and resources on selecting and installing car seats, see the full version of this article at http://missourifamilies.org/
