New Wisconsin Booster Seat Law

FREE CAR SEAT CHECKS
Proper installation of child restraints is not always obvious. Car seat checkpoints are available for parents to take their car seats to be evaluated by trained Child Passenger Safety Technicians. The technicians will evaluate a child’s height and weight for the proper car seat, check for possible recalls, and proper installation of car seats.

Here is a checklist that parents can review to educate themselves on safely securing their child in their vehicle.

Read all instructions to your child’s car seat and vehicle owner’s manual. Pay special attention to any warning labels.

Seat belts in vehicles are made for adults, not children. Some seat belts need a different buckle or special locking clip to be used to safely secure the car seat.

Children should never be placed in front of an airbag. Airbags can cause serious injury or even death. The safest place in the vehicle for the child is in the back seat.

Know the history of your car seat. Never purchase a used car seat. Are you certain that this car seat was not in a crash, meets safety standards, has not been recalled for safety reasons and is not over 7 years old.

Some facts to remember….
~ 80-90% of child restraints are NOT used correctly.
~ Children should ride rear facing in a child restraint until they are at least one year old AND weigh 20 pounds.
~ Over 1,800 children (0-14) are killed in motor vehicle crashes each year.
~ Drivers can be stopped, cited and fined for each child under eight years old who is not properly buckled in the required child safety seat or seat belt.

REDUCED COST CAR SEATS ARE AVAILABLE with 5-point harness system.

If you would like to coordinate an individual car seat check please call 637-4298.

These website can provide helpful information on infant and child carseats:

boosterseat.gov

www.nhtsa.gov

www.wcpsa.com

www.chop.edu/consumer/ This link provides great videos on what car seats to purchase and how to install your car seat.

www.usa.safekids.org

www.bluekids.org/safe_kids_wi_a.asp