Page 15

15 Section 2: Program Standards Car Seat Safety The Nebraska Safety Restraint Law, effective Jan. 1, 2019, requires that all children up to age 8 travel correctly secured in a federally approved child safety seat. Children age 2 and under must ride in a rear- facing seat, except where they have reached the upper height and weight limit allowed by the seat’s manufacturer. As a provider, you are required by law to transport all children under your care in age- appropriate, federally approved child safety seats. Failure to do so results in a $25 fine per violation plus court costs and one point off your driver’s license. Car Seat Safety Makes a Difference!4 • Car seat use reduces the risk for injury in crashes by 71-82% for children, compared with seat belt use alone. • Booster seat use reduces the risk for serious injury by 45% for children ages 4-8, compared with seat belt use alone. • Seat belt use reduces the risk for death and serious injury by about half for older children and adults. SAFETY RESOURCES To learn more about car seat safety and to find an event to get your car seat(s) checked, visit: Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Safe-Kids- Nebraska.aspx REAR-FACING CAR SEAT Birth until age 2-4 FORWARD-FACING CAR SEAT After outgrowing rear- facing car seat and until at least age 5 BOOSTER SEAT After outgrowing forward- facing car seat and until seat belt fits properly SEAT BELT When seat belt fits properly without a booster seat 1 Birth 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12+ RECOMMENDED CAR SEAT BY AGE4 Adapted from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Car Seat Safety Training5 It is important to have a plan for transporting children and the appropriate safety seats for the children in your care. Individuals who transport children on behalf of a licensed child care center must complete Safe Kids Buckle Up within 90 days of employment and every five years thereafter. These individuals must also maintain Pediatric First Aid/CPR training. Please reach out to your licensing CCIS for additional information.