Out of Harm's Way

It's the law in Rhode Island, but if you have a child four years old or under, a more important reason to secure him in a car seat is that it could save his life. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 500 deaths and 56,000 injuries to children in this age group can be prevented every year if all parents used car safety seats.

Here are some tips to keep your child safe and secure:

Infants weighing up to 20 pounds and less than a year old should ride in a car seat facing the rear of the car. The seat should be at a 45 degree angle.
Children weighing 20 to 40 pounds should ride in a safety seat. Those weighing 40 to 60 pounds should sit in a booster seat.
Children should ride in a booster seat in the center rear seat until they are at least 54 inches tall and weigh 80 pounds.
The safest place for a child using a safety seat is the center rear seat.
Carefully follow installation instructions in the car seat and car owner's manuals.
No more than one finger's worth of space should be between the child and the harness.
Replace any car seat that has been involved in a crash.
The least safe place for a child using only a lap belt is the center rear seat. Children who no longer need booster seats should use both a lap belt and shoulder harness.

The best way to encourage lifelong car safety is to set a good example, so make it a habit to abide by the state's new seat belt laws by buckling up.

For more information, call the Injury Prevention Center at 401-444-2685.