Keeping Children Safe in the Car: Booster Seat Safety and Tips

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This post was sponsored by The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

My children have always known they needed to be buckled safe in the car. It has been the standard since day one and I'm so glad I've instilled that safety within them. My daughter rode in a booster seat until she was 9, my almost 7 year old is currently in one and my almost 5 year old is still 5pt harnessed. Car seat safety has always been extremely important to me and it's one area I've learned up on through the years. I always wanted to be informed of safety tips and, most importantly, the LAW when it came to their safety in the car.

In Michigan, children under 4'9" should still be in a booster seat, to be the most safe. Adult seat belts are not meant to be used for someone under this height. 

Michigan's law on booster seats is they have to use one until they are 4'9" OR 8 OR 80 pounds, whichever comes first. ALL of my kids are tiny, My 5 and 7 year olds have almost always been the same size (within a couple pounds and couple inches). Reading up on car seat safety was incredibly important to me AND still is. Laws are always changing and it's important to know them.

Children are our most precious cargo when we're traveling, whether it's 5 miles or 500, they are of the utmost priority in the car. So why not take a little time to learn the law and requirements and feel confident, that they are as safe as can be?

The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning has guidelines that parents can read to help keep their kids safe. They are dedicated to saving lives and reducing injuries. With Winter coming up this is even more important as our roads become more of a hazard.

I think booster seat safety is the most important (they are ALL important), as the child has more freedom. They are strapped down, locked tight and secure, they just have the seat belt holding them in the car. There is a level of maturity that comes with riding in a booster seat. No slouching, no moving all about, no falling asleep, etc. That is why I feel it's most important. Children must meet these requirements before moving on. Whereas with other seats, it's just height and weight.

Some Safety Guidelines: 

• If your child is under 4’9”, they’re not tall enough to ride in the car without a booster seat. No matter how grown up they seem. Adult seat belts don’t fit or protect children shorter than 4’9” the way they need to.
• Using a booster seat reduces the risk for serious injury by 45 percent for children aged 4–8 years when compared with adult seat belt use alone. For older children and adults, seat belt use reduces the risk for death and serious injury by approximately half.
• Michigan children ages 4-7 have a low rate of booster seat use, at just 49.7 percent. Research suggests parents underestimate the risk and/or are unfamiliar with or confused about child passenger safety best practices.

My son will be 5 in January and I can't imagine flipping him to just a booster seat for another 2 years. 

Even though Michigan Law says age 4 and 40 pounds is acceptable, there are many other guidelines to follow and tests to ensure you and your child are ready!

I hope you learned something new!! Please do the research for Michigan AND your own state as well, they are all so different and EVERY parent should be informed!