Beginning January 1, 2015, every motor vehicle operator in Florida will be required to use a crash-tested, federally approved child restraint device for children until age 6.
Before January 1, the cutoff was age 3, so be mindful of the change. It means keeping that car seat in the car an additional three years, but it’s all designed to keep the children safe.
Florida AAA, which pushed for the change in Florida law, will be giving out free booster seats every Friday in January. But to get one, you have to set up an appointment and the seat has to be for a child who is at least 4 years old. While you do not have to be an AAA member, you do have to qualify to get one of the seats, so call and schedule the appointment. Go to the AAA website to find the location nearest you. Only one carseat per family.
The AAA also makes the following recommendations about getting and using the right carseat:
Be sure to protect your child with the right seat
Rear-Facing Seat – Birth until age 2 or when child
reaches the upper height or weight limit of seat
(typically around 35 pounds).
Forward-Facing Seat – Your child should have a
forward-facing seat with a harness until he or she
reaches the manufacturer’s upper height or weight limit
of the seat (typically 40-65 pounds).
Belt-Positioning Booster Seat – Protect your child with
this seat until he or she is at least 4’9’’ (typically 8-12
years of age). Proper positioning of your car’s safety belt
system is crucial in preventing or minimizing injury in
case of a crash.
Lap and Shoulder Belts – Be sure the lap belt lies across
the hips and the shoulder belt across the center of the
shoulder and chest. Your child’s legs should bend
comfortably at the seat’s edge, with his or her back
resting flat against the back of the seat. Once the safety
belt fits properly without a booster, your child no longer
needs a special seat. All children under 13 should sit in
the back seat.
