HomeMy Public PortalAboutLetter to Parents Regarding Child Seatbel Use 8.2008WATERTOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC DIVISION
(617)972-6547
Edward P. Deveau
Chief of Police
August 2008
Dear Parents,
Sgt. Joseph Deignan
Division Commander
Off. Charles Samios
Off. Keith Parent
Off. Michael Martin
It has long been a goal of the Watertown Police Traffic Division to make the children of Watertown
safer. One major problem that we have encountered has been the lack of knowledge and/or the awareness
with regards to child safety seats and the laws that govern them. It is our hope that this letter will help
clarify the Massachusetts child passenger laws and the proper seat for the appropriate age, weight and
height.
Massachusetts Child Passenger Safety Law
• Children under the age of 5 years old and weigh less than 40 pounds must ride in a child
safety seat.
• A passenger in a motor vehicle on any way who is under the age of 8 shall be fastened and
secured by a child passenger restraint, unless such passenger measures more than 57 inches
in height.
• A police officer can stop your car if a child 12 and under is not properly restrained.
Infants: Birth to lYear:
• Infant only or convertible safety seats should be rear facing. The car seat should be secured
with either the car's safety belt or the use of the LATCH system (if your car is fitted with it).
• The chest clip should be at the armpit level.
• Your baby should be rear facing until at least the age of 1 and weight of 20 pounds.
Watertown Police Department 34 John "Sonny" Whooley Way
Watertown, Massachusetts 02472
Toddlers: Older than 1 and more than 20 pounds:
• Use a top Tether if your car and car seat are both equipped. Tethers limit the forward motion
of your child's head in a crash.
A child is too big for the seat when the shoulders are above the top slots, the ears are above
the back of the seat or the weight limit of the safety seat is exceeded. The weight limit is
typically found on the side of the safety seat.
Many children will outgrow the harness of a forward facing car seat at the age of 4 or 5
years of age
Boosters: under the age of 8 and less than 57 inches in height:
A passenger in a motor vehicle on any way who is under the age of 8 shall be fastened and
secured by a child passenger restraint, unless such passenger measures more than 57 inches
in height.
• A booster seat uses no harness. It uses the car's lap and shoulder belts only.
• NEVER use a lap only belt.
PROPER INSTALLATION NOTE: The car seat should not move more than 1 inch from side to side (not
including the Booster style seat). The best way to check this is by grabbing the car seat where the seat belt
or latch pass through and give it a tug. If it moves more than an inch side to side it is not fitted properly and
needs to be tightened.
The Watertown Police offer Child Seat Safety checkpoints that are scheduled on a monthly basis.
Officer Samios, Officer Parent and Officer Martin are certified Child Passenger Technicians and will be
available to assist with installations, child safety seat inspections, and also to educate the caregiver on
child passenger safety. Attendance is by appointment only, so please call 617-972-6594 to be scheduled
for the next checkpoint.
Watertown Police Department 34 John "Sonny" Whooley Way
Watertown, Massachusetts 02472