4-8 Years of Age
Child Passenger Safety (CPS)
State law requires that a child be in a booster seat until they are at least 6 years of age and 60 pounds. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that a child remain in a booster seat until they are at least 8 years of age, 80 pounds or 4' 9" tall. Booster seats raise a child up so the seat belt will fit the child and provide a safe ride. The longer you can keep your child in a booster seat the better. Children ages 4-8 are 45 percent less likely to receive injuries in a car crash if a booster seat is used as opposed to seat belt alone. (Arbogast KB, 2009)
How do I know when my child is safe to ride without a booster seat?
If you can answer YES to ALL five of the following questions, then your child should be ready to stop using a booster seat and start using just the seat belt. Keep your child in a booster if the answer is NO to any of these questions.
- Can the child sit all the way back against the vehicle seat?
- When sitting all the way back in the seat, do the child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the seat?
- Is the lap belt on the top part of the child's thighs?
- Is the shoulder belt centered on the child's chest and shoulders? **Never put the shoulder belt behind the child. If it is too high and goes across their neck or face, they need to be in a booster seat.
- Can the child stay seated like this for the entire trip?
Visit the Arkansas CPS website at www.carseatsar.org to learn about becoming a child passenger safety technician, review upcoming child passenger safety courses available and find a CPS technician or check-up event in your area.
Need to have your seat checked?
Contact the Injury Prevention Center at (501) 364-3400.
Helpful Resources for Parents/Caregivers