Genesee County Health Department

Better Life Through Better Health

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reports traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 6-14 years. Often these deaths are linked to children who are unbuckled or improperly restrained in vehicles. Drivers may not realize that the type of child seat/safety restraint a child needs changes as the child grows. Since Michigan Law only requires child safety seat use up to age 4, drivers assume older children are safe in just a seat belt.

At around 40 lbs. (ages 4-8), children need to be restrained in belt-positioning booster seats until they are big enough to fit properly in an adult seat belt. Without a booster seat under a child, the adult lap belt rides up over the stomach and the shoulder belt cuts across the neck, increasing risk for serious or fatal injuries. Children who cannot sit with their backs straight against the vehicle seat back and with knees bent over the vehicle’s seat edge without slouching (about 80 lbs. and 4’ 9" tall), are not big enough for adult seat belts.

To protect children in vehicles...

• Children 12 and under should sit properly restrained in the back seat, away from airbags
• Never put a shoulder belt behind a child’s arm or back, this eliminates injury protection
• Never use pillows, books, or towel to boost a child, they can slide around
• Don’t skip booster seats and don’t move children too quickly into adult seat belts
• Always read booster seat instructions and vehicle owner’s manual
• Never use only a lap belt for a child in a booster seat