The Southington Police Department is dedicated to providing the public with pertinent information regarding the safety of child passengers. We have certified child passenger safety seat officers who are available to inspect your current installation of your child safety seat(s) and to teach parents how to properly install them.
What is Child Passenger Safety (CPS)?
Child Passenger Safety, also known as car seat safety, is a critical component of your child’s safety every day. When traveling with your child in a vehicle it is the law in Connecticut to keep your child properly restrained in a car seat. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, road injuries are the leading cause of death to children in the United States. However, the correct use of a child safety seat can reduce the risk of death by as much as 71%.
Unfortunately, only 1 out of 5 car seats in Connecticut is used properly. It is the mission of Safe Kids Connecticut to ensure safe transportation of all children in Connecticut by raising awareness on the issue, providing community education and safety materials to local families in need and by hosting car seat check events statewide. Safe Kids Connecticut aims to be a resource for families and organizations who want to learn more about keeping their child safe in and around vehicles.
LAW: Infants must remain rear-facing until they are a minimum of both 2 year and 30 pounds.
LAW: Toddlers must be in a forward facing car seat with 5 point harness until 5 years and 40 pounds.
LAW: Children should ride in a booster until they reach 8 years old AND 60 pounds (they must meet both requirements). Children who ride in a booster seat must use a lap and shoulder belt.
LAW: Children, tweens and teens must be in a seat belt whenever they ride in a vehicle. Further Recommended: Children should ride in the back seat until they are 13 years old. All people and objects should be properly restrained whenever they are in a vehicle.
Violators of the Connecticut car seat law must pay a fine and attend a 2-hour educational car seat class at the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Thank you to www.ctsafekids.org for the above link information.