12/30/2025
Is your child REALLY ready for that seatbelt? 🚗👶
We took a look at recent local incident data, and the results were a wake-up call. While infants in car seats are staying remarkably safe, we saw a spike in injuries for children aged 4 to 8 years old.
The data shows that even when buckled up, many kids in this age group are sustaining face, neck, chest, and abdominal abrasions. This happens when a child is moved to a seatbelt too early. Without a booster seat, the belt sits on the soft tissue of the neck and stomach instead of the strong bones of the shoulder and hips.
The Fix: Don’t rush the graduation! Keep them in a booster until they are at least 4'9" and the belt fits perfectly. It’s not just about being buckled; it’s about the FIT.