Child Seats

Kansas law requires children ages 4,5,6 and 7 be secured in a booster seat.

Children under 1 MUST ride in a rear-facing child seat until they reach at least 1 year old AND 20 pounds.                                   

Children ages 1,2 and 3 must be properly restrained in a forward-facing child seat.

Children ages 4,5,6 and 7 are required to ride in a booster seat UNLESS
*the child weighs more than 80 pounds, or
*the child is taller than 4 feet 9 inches, or
*only a lap belt is available

                            

Children who meet these height and weight criteria MUST be protected by a seat belt.

If you are unsure which seat your child should be in contact our office to speak to a car seat technician who can help you decide on the proper seat and teach you how to properly install the seat.

Why do children ages 4,5,6 and 7 need to ride in a booster seat?
    Seat belts are made to fit adults and do not protect children properly.  Booster seats work by raising a child up so that the lap and shoulder belt are positioned safely.  Booster seats reduce the risk of injury by 59% as compared to using only seat belts.

What kind of booster seats are there?
    There are two kinds: high-back and no-back.  A high-back booster seat provides head and neck support and can be used in all vehicles that have lap/shoulder safety belt systems.  Some forward-facing car seats convert to become high-back booster seats.  A no-back booster seat should only be used in vehicles with built-in head rests.  ALL booster seats should be used with the vehicle's lap/shoulder belt system, never a lap belt only.

Where do I purchase a booster seat and how much does one cost?
    Booster seats are available at department stores, toy stores and other retail outlets.  A no-back booster seat costs approximately $15 and a high-back booster seat ranges from $20-$100 depending on the style. 

Safety Tips

• Always follow the instructions provided with your seat and vehicle

• All booster seats are required by law to comply with the same safety standards as child seats

• Teach your child to buckle up and to pull up on the shoulder belt to make the lap belt tight

• The lap belt should rest low across the pelvic area on the hip bones-the lap belt should never rest on the stomach area

• Make sure the shoulder belt is snug across the chest and rests flat across the center of the collar bone; the shoulder belt should never be placed behind a child's back or under the arm

• The booster seat should follow the child.  Make sure carpools, child care provides, family, and friends have access to your child's booster seat.