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Booster seat safety – it’s the state law

Eight-year-old Avalon plays it safe and buckles up in her booster seat each time she rides in a car.

Article and photo by Elean Gersack

Children get older, get bigger and grow out of conventional car seats. For many parents this is a time to celebrate the end of an era. Carting around clunky seats and getting them strapped in properly is a lot of work – especially when switching seats to another car or when traveling.

But, car seats serve a very important purpose – they save lives and protect those too young to make his or her own safety decisions. When a youngster is big enough to graduate from a conventional car seat, it does not negate the need for a seat altogether.

Booster seats (boosters) are designed to secure children at the appropriate height while using a vehicle’s own shoulder safety belt. Good news — boosters are super easy to manage. Children can buckle themselves and the seats can quickly and easily be moved from one car to another.

According to South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR), Colorado law requires children who are at least four years old or forty pounds and less than 55 inches tall to be properly restrained in a booster seat. Children six years and older or at least 55 inches tall, must be properly restrained with the motor vehicle’s safety belt.

According to Safety Belt Safe U.S.A, the national non-profit organization dedicated to child passenger safety (www.carseat.org), boosters are for big kids and most kids need to ride in a booster seat from about age 4 until age 10 to 12. And, for the best protection, they suggest that all children ride in the back seat until they are ready to drive since it is twice as safe as the front seat. Follow this five-step test, to check whether or not a child is ready to go without a booster:

1. Can the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2. Do the child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3. Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4. Is the lap belt as low as possible, touch ing the thighs?
5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?

A “no” to any of these questions means a booster seat is still needed. For more details visit Safety Belt Safe U.S.A. at www.carseat.org.

SMFR is available to assist in determining the correct car seat type for your child as well as confirm a snug and correct fit for infant and toddler car seats. Safety checks are held twice each month in Lone Tree and Parker and individual appointments can also be made by calling 720-989-2271.

For more information, visit http://southmetro.org and click on “Car Seat Check/Inspection”. No matter how far the drive – buckle up and be safe.

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