There are many laws that help to regulate your child's safety when riding in a vehicle. If you'll be having a baby soon, or your child is coming up on their first birthday, you may have questions about a number of safety issues.
Child Seat Safety Laws
Some states are tightening their child car seat safety laws to ensure that children are safely restrained while riding in a car. This month, Pennsylvania joined New Jersey, California, and Oklahoma in requiring children to be placed in rear-facing car seats if they are younger than two years old. This law follows the advice of the American Academy of Pediatrics, asking that parents keep their children in a rear-facing seat until the age of two.
Other states are likely to follow in Pennsylvania’s footsteps. However, lots of parents recognize that their child may reach their seat’s height and weight limit before they turn two. In that case, a convertible seat that can be rear-facing (and then switch to forward-facing after the child is older) can be used.
For more information on how to choose the right rear-facing seat for your baby, this website has plenty of recommendations.
Smoke-free Car Laws
To protect children from the dangers of secondhand smoke, several states have smoke-free car laws: Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Maine, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, and Virginia, as well as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The provisions vary from state to state, as do the penalties. Be sure that you understand the laws for your state.
Leaving Children Unattended in a Vehicle
Currently, it’s illegal in 20 states to leave a child alone in a vehicle, and many other states have proposed laws that are awaiting votes. In California, the law says that children six or under can’t be left inside a vehicle without having a person there who is 12 or older to supervise. In Florida, parents can’t leave children younger than six-years-old for longer than 15 minutes if the car is not running (and for no period of time if the car is running).
Also, if you were wondering, every state except New Hampshire has a seat belt law, so be sure to fasten your seat belt when you get in the car to keep you and your baby safe!
