Announcement
Buckle Up the Ones You Love
February 14, 2007

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading killer of children ages 3-14. “Child passenger safety is not just about babies and toddlers. It’s a commitment that lasts a lifetime,” says Linda Tvorik, Safe Kids Central Ohio coordinator. “Too many kids move from a booster seat to a safety belt before they’re big enough.”

Year-Round Car Seat Inspections

Safe Kids Central Ohio provides car seat inspections throughout the year as well. To find an inspection site or certified technician near you, call 614-645-7748.  To learn more about this service and car seats offered at a reduced cost to families in need, go to Child Safety Injury Prevention Program at Columbus Public Health.

Ohio’s Law

All 50 states currently have child restraint laws. Ohio’s car seat law states that all children up to age 4 and 40 pounds must be properly restrained in an appropriately used child restraint.

A new booster seat law will soon go into effect requiring that all children, ages 4 to 15, be buckled up riding anywhere in a vehicle. This means that a child in this age group must be in a child restraint system (car seat or booster seat) or in a seat belt when traveling.

Kids who have outgrown car seats (usually 40 pounds, but some car seats are rated for 60 pounds or more) are safer and more comfortable on a booster seat until they are 4’9” (57”) tall and 80 to 100 pounds — a height and weight most kids reach between ages 8-12.

Safe Kids Worldwide - Parent Toolkit
This kit helps educate kids, carpool members and other caregivers about the importance of booster seat. It includes:

• The Safety Belt Fit Test
• Q&A for kids talking to other kids about booster seats
• Carpool safety checklists and guidelines for starting a safe carpool

Safe Kids Spotter’s Club

Kids ages 6-8 riding on booster seats, or returning to booster seats after graduating too early to adult seats, will be invited to join the Safe Kids Spotter’s Club and look out for safe behavior from the excellent vantage point of a booster seat. Spotter’s Club activity books are also available through the Parent Toolkit.

Visit www.usa.safekids.org or www.safekidscentralohio.org for more information about child passenger safety, including a Parent Toolkit.