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WHY A CAR SEAT ?
| Massachusetts State law requires all occupants of a vehicle
regardless of age to use a seat belt or a restraint device.
NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)
recommends minimum requirements in the construction and use of
child car seats. The use of a child car seat allows for the
optimum safety of your child while in a car. As of April 2008,
Massachusetts children up to 7 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall
will have to be in booster seats when riding in automobiles,
upping the age requirement two years and switching the size
threshold from weight to height. Until a child is at least 4
feet 9 inches, they do not properly fit the restraint devices
installed in cars for use by adults. Child car seats of
different types and styles were made to help provide the proper
safety needed in a car crash. Note: By law a police officer can
stop your vehicle if a child 12 or under is not properly
restrained, with a fine of up to $25.00 for every violation
involving belts and seats. The following will help you figure
out which child restraint to use, based on age, weight and
height. For more child passenger safety information, go to
www.mass.gov/eops Also Safe Kids Worldwide at
www.safekids.org Types of Car Seats. Rear-Facing Infant Carrier Seats: • Newborn to approximately 6 months of age • Weight under 20 pounds • Height under 26 inches Rear-Facing Convertible Seats: • 6 months to 1+ years of age • Weight under 30 pounds • Top of head at least 1 inch below top of seat Forward-Facing Convertible Seats: • Over 1 year of age • Weight under 40 pounds (and over 20) • Top of shoulders should always be below harness slots on seat • Child’s head is level with or below the top of the child seat Booster Seat with Adult Lap & Shoulder Seat Belt: • Approximately 4 to 8 years of age • weight over 40 pounds • Height under 4’9 *Always read Child Car Seat Manufacturers instructions on sizing and limitations of seats. Any child under 4 feet 9 inches must be in a child car seat or booster. Any child 4 feet 9 inches or more can use just the car seat belt. *These are general guidelines, child car seat limits change from seat to seat as well as manufacturers. Look at your seat for it’s limits set by the manufacture www.mass.gov/childsafetyseats $5 for unsafe car seats! - click here |