Child Safety Seats
In July of 2006, Wisconsin Act 106 changed the
requirements for the use of child passenger safety seats
in Wisconsin. The new act, nicknamed the “Booster Seat
Law” requires children to be in a booster seat until
they are either 8 years old or 80 pounds, or 57 inches
tall. According to Wisconsin’s law, if your child
exceeds one of the criteria, they do not have to be in a
booster seat.
The law also eliminated the “personal needs” exemption
that allowed the child to be removed from the child
restraint while the vehicle is moving for their personal
needs, such as feeding or diapering. The child must
always be in the child safety seat while the vehicle in
is motion.
Some tips for parents:
- Always place child in a child passenger safety
seat until they are able to use a vehicle
lap/shoulder belt properly
- Always place the child in the back seat (unless
there is no back seat)
- Never place the child in front of a vehicle air bag. Keep children rear facing, in the back seat, until they
are 1 year old AND 20 lbs.
- Parents should always wear their seatbelts to show an
example for the children
IS YOUR CHILD'S SAFETY SEAT PROPERLY INSTALLED?
Come to one of our area's safety seat checks to learn
more!
"Click
Here"
for current schedule. |
Wisconsin Safety Belt and Child Safety Belt Laws
Rear-facing child safety seat in the back seat* is required when the child:
Is less than 1 year old or weighs less than 20 pounds
Forward-facing child safety seat in the back seat* is required when the child:
Is at least 1 year old but less that 4 years old, weighs at least 20 pounds but less than 40 pounds
Booster seat is required when the child:Is at least 4 years old but less than 8 years old, weighs at least 40 pounds but less than 80 pounds and
is not 57 inches (4-feet, 9-inches) or taller
Safety belt is required when the person:Is at least 8 years old or older or weighs 80 or more pounds or is 57 inches or taller
* Child Safety seat must be in the back seat if the vehicle is equipped with a back seat.
These apply to all vehicles 1972 or newer.
Since there is no way for me to explain child passenger
safety seats fully on this web page, please feel free to
contact me at any time to ask any questions, or if you
would like to have your seat checked to see if it is
being properly installed. I will make every attempt to
help you by checking your seat personally during my
scheduled shift. Safe Kids Chippewa Valley Coalition
also conducts car seat checks throughout the community
at various times throughout the year.
Sergeant Chris Kirchman #602
University Police - Eau Claire
836-2222 (weekdays)
email: kirchmca@uwec.edu
Web page links:
http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/safety/vehicle/child/laws.htm
Link to Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation web site with
links to Act 106
www.wcpsa.com
Wisconsin Child Passenger Safety Association
www.safekids.org
National Safe Kids Organization
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