Boosters until age 8!

Not only is it important to keep our kids safe when playing outside, but it is also important to keep them safe in the car.

A new law passed in 2008, changes Utah's child restraint law. Now every child up to age 8 must be in a child safety seat or booster seat. The exception to that law is if your child is 57". There is also a $45.00 fine for those not following this law.

When is my child ready for a seat belt?

Your child is ready for a seat belt when they are 8 years old or over 57 inches tall. Before moving your child to an adult safety belt, take the Safety Belt Fit Test.

• Is your child able to sit upright with knees bent at the edge of the seat?
• Does the shoulder belt fit over the middle of the shoulder and the center of the chest?
• Does the lap belt rest on the hips or upper thighs?
• Can your child maintain the correct position for as long as you are in the car?

When should a booster seat not be used?

If you vehicle does not have shoulder belts in the back seat, a booster seat cannot be used. Booster seats must never be used with a lap belt only. If there are no seating position with both lap and shoulder belts available for using a booster seat, a child who has outgrown their regular child restraint may be secured with a properly fitted lap belt. Children should ride in a traditional harness system, which generally occurs at 40 lbs or more, depending on the seat. There are many seats on the market with internal harnesses that can accommodate children weighing more than 40 lbs. These seats are recommended to parents with vehicles that only have lap belts.

More children ages 6-14 die from traffic crashes than from anything else. But even more startling is the fact that over half of the 4-7 year olds who die in crashes are buckled in seat belts. The truth is that these younger children are not safe in seat belts alone. They are not adequately protected by seat belts alone.

Be Safe and Buckle up Properly!