By
Janie Har
The OREGONIAN
An increasing number of safety experts say too many parents
are putting their children at risk by failing to strap them
in booster seats after they graduate out of car seats.
Children
aren't ready for grown up seat belts until they're about 4 feet
10 inches tall and weigh about 80 ponds, experts say. That means
most kids ages 4 to 8 should be in a booster seat. That applies
even to kids younger than 4 if they weigh more than 40 pounds.
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A
booster seat elevates a child so the adult lap and shoulder belt
fits properly. A child should be able to sit up straight, knees
crooked naturally, collarbone and the tops of thighs protected by
the belts. Never use just the lap belt to buckle in a child in a
booster seat. Here's a brief guide outlining types of boosters and
describing how a child
should be restrained. Ultimately, the booster seat should meat the
specifications of your child, car type and seat belt system.
Remember
to follow the instructions packed with your booster seat because
maximum and minimum weight requirements for the child vary.
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INFORMATION
Oregon
Child Safety Seat Resorce Center,
656-7207 or
1-800-772-1315.
National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
Auto Safety Hotline,
1-888-327-4236, &
www.nhtsa.dot.gov
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