CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among children ages 3 to 14 in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  An average of 5 children age 14 and younger were killed and 640 injured in motor vehicle crashes each day across the United States in 2005.  Even a sudden stop can seriously injure a child who is not riding securely in the right type of child safety seat. 

CHILD CAR SEAT INSTALLATION

A car seat installation generally takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and could potentially last longer based upon the number of car seats and whether the car seat is a match to the child and the automobile.  Safety checks are conducted in order to give instruction on the proper installation of child safety seats to ensure the safety of children while traveling.  In addition, we educate parents and caregivers on how to safely transport children in motor vehicles. 

Please contact Officer Joseph Borodawka to make an appointment at 978-887-8135 or email jborodawka@town.boxford.ma.us.  Please have the following information available when you call:

ü     Child’s Age, Height and Weight

ü     Vehicle Year, Make and Model

ü     Type of Car Seat (Infant, Convertible, Forward Facing, Booster, other)

ü     Seat Manufacturer, Model Number and Date of Manufacturer

ü     Has the seat been recalled?

ü     Are you the original owner of the seat?

ü     Has the car seat been involved in a crash or accident?

We discourage the following:

Ø     The use of aftermarket parts (These are items that were not supplied in the original car seat manufacturing packaging.)

Ø     Recycling seats among family and friends or purchasing used seats

Ø     Using car/booster seats longer than 6 years (The structural integrity of the car seat may begin to break down after 6 years.)

Ø     The use of car seats that have been involved in accidents. 

MASSACHUSETTS CHILD PASSENGER LAW

The Massachusetts Child Passenger Safety Law requires children less than 5 years of age or who weigh 40 pounds or less to ride in a properly installed, federally-approved child safety seat. 

This law also requires children 5 years of age through 12 to wear a safety belt.  A booster seat is recommended to ensure that the safety belt fits properly for children less than 5’7” in height. 

The Massachusetts Safety Belt Law requires safety belt use by those 13 years of age and older. 

HELPFUL LINKS

http://www.nhtsa.gov/CPS/CSSRating/Index.cfm     (2007 Car Seat Ease of Use Ratings)

http://www.nhtsa.gov (Click on “Traffic Safety”)

http://www.usa.safekids.org/skbu/cps/index.html  (Helpful Information)