RoadWiseABCsonChildSafetySeats-TexasAM.pptVIP

Booster seats are for children who are at least 4 years old and 40 pounds and mature enough to stay in place for the entire trip. A booster seat simply boosts the child up so that the lap and shoulder belt fit the child correctly. When a child who is too small for the lap/shoulder belt rides in the seat belt system, they are at great risk for injury from the lap belt when it rides over the soft tissue of the abdomen. When the shoulder belt rubs against the child’s neck, they put it behind their back, which causes them to have no upper body support and is also very dangerous. Children should ride in booster seats until they fit the seat belt system – usually at 4’9’’ tall. * A child is ready for a seat belt when the lap belt fits low on the hips and not across the abdomen, and the shoulder belt fits across the middle of the shoulder and flat across the chest. This is usually sometime between ages 8-12. * * Activity: Refer to the handout, “4 STEPS to Keeping Your Child Riding Safely in the Car.” Review each of the following with the group: Rear-facing Safety Seat Forward-facing Safety Seat Booster Seat Lap/Shoulder Belts (If more than 10 people are present, divide into small groups.) Have each participant share their child’s age and weight. As a group, determine the best type of restraint for that child. * Distribute the Children and Air Bags fact sheet. Review it with the group. Air bags are supplemental restraints designed to work with safety belts to provide optimum protection for adults. Air bags are not designed to protect children and can cause serious injury or death to children. A child in rear-facing safety seat should NEVER be placed in the front seat of a car equipped with a passenger-side air bag. The impact of a deploying air bag striking a rear-facing child safety seat could result in serious or fatal injury to the child. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that all children 12 and under should always ride in