There’s nothing more important than keeping our children safe. Although every year children are injured or killed in car accidents, proper use of child safety seats can help keep our children safe. As a parent, you may find it difficult to sort out conflicting or confusing car safety seat information as your child develops and grows. Child safety seats work best when used correctly. But how do you know what’s correct?

Vermont’s child safety seat law defines age limits but not weight and height. It also states that a child must be "properly" secured in the vehicle. For example, you may believe your 8-year-old daughter is big enough to graduate from her booster seat because of her age. But your daughter may be small in stature and when you put her in the car's seat belt the shoulder belt rides up on her neck. This means that she is improperly secured and she should stay in a booster seat longer.

Vermont’s Be Seat Smart campaign and National Child Passenger Safety Week are designed to draw attention to the importance of child safety seats and to help parents understand the 4 Stages of Seat Safety that every child progresses through. See which stage your child is in below and find out how to buckle your kids in their car or booster seat safely. Certified safety technicians are available to help you at free special events, Child Safety Seat Checks and Fitting Stations throughout Vermont.

5 STEP TEST

Take the 5 Step Test to determine if your child is ready for a seat belt

1. Does the chid sit all the way back against the auto seat?

2. Is the lap belt below the stomach, touching the thighs?

3. Is the shoulder belt centered on the shoulder and chest?

4.Do the child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?

5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole ride?