Child Safety

On October 1st, 2005, Connecticut's Booster seat law will go into effect and children will need to be in an appropriate child restraint system until they are over 6 years old and over 60 pounds (they must meet both the age and weight requirements). The Cromwell Police Department and Connecticut SAFE KIDS would like to offer you some information on this new law.

Motor vehicle crashes remain the number one cause of unintentional childhood injury for children over age one throughout the United States. Using a booster seat with a seat belt instead of a seat belt alone reduces a child's risk of injury by 59%. Connecticut has now joined 33 other states in having a booster seat law.

Children between the ages of 7 and 16 years must also use safety belts and should ride in the back seat. The driver is responsible for any passenger under the age of 16 years.

Never put a rear-facing child safety seat in the front seat of a car with a passenger side air bag.

Booster Seat Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the updated child passenger safety law in Connecticut?

Starting October 1st, 2005, children in Connecticut will need to be in a federally approved child restraint system (either a car seat or booster seat) until they are over 6 years old and over 60 pounds. When children are in a booster seat, they must use a lap and shoulder belt. Additionally, children must remain rear-facing in their car seat until they are at least one year old and 20 pounds.

2. What is a booster seat?

A booster seat is a seat which "boosts" the child up so that the seat belt fits properly. This seat gives children a taller sitting height, which allows the shoulder belt to ride across the collarbone and the lap belt to ride across the pelvis. Booster seats should only be used with a seat belt which has a lap and shoulder component, not with a seat belt which is only a lap belt.

3. Do booster seats fit all vehicles?

Booster seats fit in most vehicles, with the exception of some sports cars and some trucks. Low back booster seats are appropriate for automobile seats that have a head restraint, while high back boosters are appropriate for automobile seats with or without a head restraint.

4. How available are booster seats?

Booster seats are widely available at stores such as Wal-Mart, Target, Kmart, specialty baby stores, as well as being available on the Internet. Additionally, booster seats are affordable, with low back boosters starting at about $20 and high back boosters starting at $30. Furthermore, many forward-facing car seats can be used as a booster  seat, so no additional seats need to be purchased. To find out is a child's seat turns into a booster seat, please look in the car seat instruction manual.

5. Does the law apply to out of state vehicles driving in Connecticut?

Yes. The law does not exempt vehicles traveling through the state. Additionally, Connecticut residents should check on the other states' laws when traveling to those states. Please visit www.hwysafety.org/safety_facts/state_laws/restrain2.htm for information on child passenger safety laws in other states.

6. Will children riding on school buses be required to be in child safety seats or booster seats?

No. School buses are currently exempt in Connecticut's child restraint law and they will continue to be exempt. School buses are among the safest form of transportation available to children today. However, student transportation vehicles (which are specifically  defined in Connecticut General Statutes section 14 - 212) must transport kids in car seats until the children are either 4 years old or 40 pounds.

7. Why aren't there seat belts on school buses?

School buses are designed to compartmentalize during the crash. The high seat backs and the smaller spaces between the seats help reduce injury during the crashes. Additionally, school buses are rarely involved in crashes - they rarely travel at high speeds, are highly visible (bright yellow), and have flashing lights.

8. Does this law require children to ride in the back seat?

No. There was not a provision in the law which addressed this.

9. What happens if I don't comply with this law?

You will receive a ticket and have to pay a fine. Additionally, you will be required to attend a two-hour car seat safety course run by the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles.

If you have further questions about the new booster seat law,
please visit www.ctsafekids.org or call (860)545-9988.
 
To insure proper Child Safety Seat installation (Cromwell Residents only)
please email us here or call 860-635-7851 and
leave your name, phone number and # of
seats to be installed/inspected. 
 
PLEASE NOTE: The process of having your car seat inspected is not short. The actual inspection should take approximately 45 minutes but arranging the appointment may take over a week.
(Please keep in mind that our officers do the cars seat installations during their regular patrol hours and cannot guarantee that there will not be an emergency and your appointment will need to be rescheduled.) 
 

KNOWING MY 8 RULES FOR SAFETY

1. I always check first with my parents or the person in charge before I go anywhere or get into a car, even with someone I know.
2. I always check first with my parents or a trusted adult before I accept anything from anyone, even from someone I know.
3. I always take a friend with me when I go places or play outside.
4. I know my name, address, telephone number, and my parents' names.
5. I say no if someone tries to touch me or treat me in a way that makes  me feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused.
6. I know that I can tell my parents or a trusted adult if I feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused. 
7. It's OK to say no, and I know that there will always be someone who can help me. 
8. I am strong, smart, and have the right to be safe. 

* Check First.
* Take A Friend.
* Tell Someone I Trust If Something Is Wrong.
* Stay Strong, Smart, and Safe.

Provided by
National Center For Missing & Exploited Children.
www.missingkids.com