Effective January 1, 2015, Florida drivers must follow an enhanced child restraint device (car seat) law, which will reduce tragic outcomes in vehicle accidents. The new law extends the requirement of a car seat or booster seat until a child’s 6th birthday. A car seat with a harness must still be used until their 4th birthday. Then, for children ages 4 and 5, a car seat or booster seat can be used but not a seat belt alone.

 

Though this new law provides additional protection for children until age 6, parents should know that using a booster seat is actually recommended until the height of 4’9” (between 8 and 12 years of age). The booster seat allows the seat belt, which is intended for adult use, to fit correctly on the body of a child. Similarly, though the law requires a car seat with a harness only until age 4, safety experts from AAA, the National Safety Council, and many other national injury prevention organizations recommend parents keep their child in a forward-facing seat with a harness until the maximum height and weight allowed for their seat. Given current models available, this can be as high as 65-80 pounds.

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Parents with questions about the new law or any other car seat safety concerns can make an appointment with one of our certified technicians trained in child passenger safety through our Keys to Kids Safety Program. Technicians can teach parents how to install new seats, help assess the safety of current seats, and provide information on choosing the correct seat for each child.

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Individual appointments are available. Assistance is free to any parent or caregiver in Monroe County. If a child’s seat is determined to be unsafe, new car seats are available for a $25 donation. You can request an appointment through our client assistance portal.