Car seats are essential for safety.
Car seats are a vital part of early childhood care, a boon to public health, and one of the easiest ways to keep little ones safe on Montana roads. But they can also be confusing. With the seemingly infinite combination of makes and models of cars to connect to, and each manufacturer’s unique system of buckles and attachments, car seat use and installation can be a little overwhelming to even the most seasoned parent. Additionally, car seat laws can vary from state to state, with guidelines that can be hard to follow. The rubric of height, weight, and age recommendations can be complex.
Car seat use is particularly important in Montana, as our traffic fatality rate exceeds the national average. Car seats and booster seats are proven to keep children safer in road accidents, reducing the risk of death by 71% for infants, and by 54% for toddlers ages 1 to 4 years. For children 4 to 7 years, booster seats reduce injury risk by 59% compared to seat belts alone. (Source: CDC)
Good news incoming!
The good news is that starting October 1, a new car seat law goes into effect in Montana, one which aims to make guidelines easier to understand, puts our state in line with national safety standards, and aims to increase the number of babies and kids traveling safely on our highways and back roads. The guidelines are as follows:
- Children under age two must ride in a rear-facing car seat that meets federal safety standards. Keeping children rear-facing for as long as possible is the safest option. If you need help, Child Passenger Safety Technicians across the state are available at no cost to ensure your car seat is installed correctly.
- For kids ages 2 to 4, use a rear or forward-facing car seat with a harness.
- For children ages 4 to 8, they should use a forward-facing seat with a harness or a booster seat, depending on their size.
- Once a child is 9 years old or has outgrown their booster seat, they can switch to an adult seat belt, but only if it fits them correctly. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure every seat and belt is used properly.
(Source: Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) )
For communities in need, HMHB is able to offer free car seats through our Safe Seat for Baby program, including installation and training guidance by a certified professional. Availability is limited, based on funding and inventory, but we invite inquiries from public health departments or other family support organizations.
Kudos to our state legislators for passing such a valuable and common-sense law!
Need help installing a car seat? Check the LIFTS Online Resource Guide under “Car Seat Installers” to find providers in your community.
From its inception, Essentials has been an integral part of HMHB’s mission to support mothers and babies aged zero to three. Recognizing the critical importance of safe sleep and secure travel for infants and toddlers, the program was designed to bridge the gap for families facing financial or logistical barriers.
To ensure car seats and pack and plays are safely set up, providers (such as doctors, nurses, Health Departments, home visitors, etc.) must order Essentials items for the families they serve. Thus, Essentials not only provides tangible products to families, but also fosters trust and relationships with direct service providers. By equipping partners with resources, HMHB empowers them to support parents comprehensively, from access to guidance on safe sleep practices, laying the foundation for future engagements.
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