Keep Kids Safe in Your Car – Follow New Connecticut Car Seat Law

Make sure your child is safe in your car by following the new car seat standards that went into effect last October.

The new state law increased the age and weight thresholds for car seats and requires that most car seats be equipped with five-point harnesses.

Here are some key points, courtesy of KidsPlay Children’s Museum in Torrington and GoodWorks Insurance in Glastonbury and New Milford.

• Children under the age of two or under 30 pounds must be in a rear-facing seat. Research shows that rear-facing car seats are safer for small children.
• There are four categories based on a child’s age and weight, and each category provides one or more car seat options.

“It’s important for all caregivers to follow the law and keep children as safe as possible in all vehicles,” said Eileen Marriott, KidsPlay Children’s Museum director.

Your child must meet both the age and weight requirement for each category of car seat. If your child meets only the age or only the weight requirement, the more restrictive car seat category applies, according to Ed Ryan, senior vice president at GoodWorks Insurance, a KidsPlay Community Partner that promotes public safety.

For example, a child who is over 30 pounds but under two years of age must still use a rear-facing seat.

KidsPlay Children’s Museum is a nonprofit institution with over 11,000 square feet of interactive hands-on exhibits and a variety of educational programs. At KidsPlay, children and their families engage their curiosity, explore and learn through purposeful play.

The recently expanded museum in Torrington welcomes a larger, more geographically diverse visitor base. Find out more at www.kidsplaymuseum.org.

One of the region’s top independent insurance agencies, GoodWorks Insurance is part of GoodWorks Financial Group. The insurance agency has offices in Glastonbury, New Milford, Columbia and Avon. More information is online at www.goodworksinsurance.com and Facebook: www.facebook.com/GoodWorksInsurance.