St. Louis Children’s Hospital Hosts “Get on Board with Child Safety” Event, Offering Free Booster Seats to 500 Families
ST. LOUIS, August 25, 2006 – Next week, Missouri’s new booster seat law takes effect, requiring more children to ride in car seats. Child safety experts at St. Louis Children’s Hospital want to help families obey the new law by hosting a “Get on Board with Child Safety” event Saturday, August 26. Families can learn more about booster and car seat safety and get their seats checked by certified safety technicians. As part of the national “Get on Board with Child Safety” program, the hospital is giving away 500 free booster seats to registered families whose children meet the requirements under the new law. To get a free booster seat, families must call St. Louis Children’s Hospital Answer Line at 314.454.KIDS to register. Saturday’s event is by appointment only, and there are several alternate dates due to the popularity of the “Get on Board” booster seat program.
Effective August 28, Missouri’s new booster seat law requires children to ride in a booster seat until they reach 8 years old or 80 pounds or 57 inches tall. Previously, children were only required to use car seats until they turned 4.
“Booster seats are designed to ‘boost’ up children who may be too small to safely use the car’s seat belts alone,” says Dr. Robert Kregenow, emergency room physician at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. “Using a booster seat and seat belt together reduce risk of serious injury because the seat belt is better positioned across the child’s lap and chest.”
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, more than 1,500 children between four and eight were injured and nearly a dozen more died in traffic-related accidents in 2004. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death and disability for children age four to eight in the United States.
Choosing the right booster seat for your child
Booster seats come in several varieties – high back, backless, and harnessed. There are also ‘All-in-one’ seats that can be used from five to 100 pounds.
Just as the name implies, high-back and backless belt-positioning boosters give the child a “boost,” helping to properly position the vehicle’s lap/shoulder belt. Harnessed boosters, on the other hand, use an internal harness restraint system to secure the child. As the child grows, the harness system can usually be removed with the seat converting to the belt-positioning mode.
‘All-in-one’ car seats literally grow along with the child. They can be used in both rear- and forward-facing positions and later as a belt-positioning booster. For older children, manufacturers may also offer a backless booster seat as another option. Your child’s age, weight and height as well as your vehicle will determine which seat is best.
Make sure that extended family members obey the new law and use an appropriate car seat when caring for your child. As a general rule, children should ride in the back seat until they’re older than 13 years old – and always buckle up.
About Get on Board with Child Safety
Get on Board with Child Safety is a partnership between the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions and Safety 1st. Our mission is to educate parents and caregivers nationwide on keeping their kids safe both at home and on the road. For more information visit www.getonboardwithsafety.com. |