New Statement on Booster Seat Use

Statement regarding booster seat ratings issued by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)


It may be attributed to Torine Creppy, Executive Director of Safe Kids Worldwide

October 13, 2011
Injury risks are reduced by 59 percent for children using belt positioning booster seats as compared to seat belts alone. However, there is no "one size fits all" product available to fit children of various height, weight and age. Only a parent of caregiver can make that fit assessment for their child, in their car and in the booster seat.

Parents looking for help to fit their booster seats can find a certified child passenger safety technician to make sure their seat is properly installed.

For a proper booster seat fit, seat belts, once routed through the booster seat guides, should lay on the shoulder or collar bone. The lap belt should lie across the hips or upper thighs. The child should be able to maintain that proper belt fit for the duration of the trip. If the child is unable to do that, they should return to a child safety seat with a harness.

Safe Kids thanks the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for continuing to push the envelope of product design – but the crucial element for child safety remains for parents and caregivers to properly adjust the booster seat settings to fit their individual child.

Local Contact

Magda Rodríguez

Safe Kids of Western Massachusetts
Baystate Children's Hospital
50 Maple Street
Springfield, MA 01103
413-794-6510
Fax: 413-794-6510
magda.rodriguez@baystatehealth.org
http://safekidswmass.blogspot.com/

Media Contact

Katherine Collins
Public Relations Associate
kcollins@safekids.org
202-662-4476