Give your child a boost

By David Khorram, M.D.

What is the leading cause of death among children ages 5-14 years? Traffic accidents. Sadly, this fact is linked to the non-use or improper use of seat restraints, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Most of us are well aware that infants need to be in rear-facing car seats until they reach at least one year of age and 20 lbs. We are also aware that toddlers and preschoolers need to be in a front-facing car seat until they reach 4 years and 40 lbs. But many of us seem to get confused when children get to be 5 years old. The fact is that children from ages 5 to 8 years need to be in booster seat unless they are 4’9” tall.

What is the purpose of the booster seat? Simply put, a booster seat ensures that the seatbelt and shoulder strap can do their job of keeping your child restrained. If your child is less than 4’9” tall, then the shoulder strap will not be positioned to keep them from flying about the car during a collision. The booster seat makes your child tall enough that the shoulder strap can hold them in.

If your child is taller than 4’9”, then they can buckle up without a booster seat. Of course, every car is different and 4’9” in just a guideline. The key point is that the child should be able to sit with their back firmly against the back of the chair, and their knees bent over the front of the seat, with the shoulder strap on their shoulder (not their neck).

NHTSA estimates that if 100 percent of children between 5 and 8 years old used booster seats, 25 percent of traffic fatalities for this age group would be reduced. That is a huge reduction in deaths, and probably even a bigger reduction in the number of serious injuries.

I have a six-year-old daughter, and she is more than happy to use a booster seat. It is actually more comfortable for her than riding on the seat, since riding high in the booster seat helps keep the strap away from her neck and on her shoulder. It also helps her see out the window easier. But lots of her friends that are the same age don’t use booster seats. Are you one of the many parents who have come to believe that at age 5 years children have “graduated” and may safely ride in the car like an adult? It’s not the case. Your child needs to be in a booster seat until they are 8 years old or tall enough to have the shoulder strap positioned safely on their shoulder with their back against the back cushion and their knees bent over the front of the seat.

NHTSA is launching a “Boost America” campaign to help educate parents on the importance of getting these kindergarten and elementary school-aged children into booster seats. Join in, and keep your child safe. The Department of Public Safety continues to set up car seat and seat belt checkpoints, and also offers help in inspecting care seats for proper use. Give your child a “boost,” and keep them safe.

(David Khorram, MD is a board certified ophthalmologist, and director of Marianas Eye Institute. Questions and comments are welcome. Call 235-9090 or email davidkhorram@hotmail.com. Copyright © 2005 David Khorram.)