New Jersey’s new child car seat law goes into effect today, September 1, 2015. This makes New Jersey the first state in the United States to require that child car seat usage meets all of the safety recommendations promoted by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
- Children under two years old who weigh less than 30 lbs must be rear-facing in a five- point harness. Once your child no longer meets one of these criteria, they may be turned forward facing.
- Children two to four years old who weigh less than 40 lbs must be in a five-point harness, either forward- or -rear-facing. The AAP recommends that children should remain rear-facing in a five point harness until they outgrow the maximum height/weight requirements of their specific seat (check manufacturer’s recommendations). Once this happens, they can be turned forward-facing in a five-point harness.
- Children five to eight years old who are under 57 inches in height must be in a booster seat. However, it is recommends that children should remain in a five-point harness until they outgrow the maximum height/weight requirements of their specific seat.
- If the vehicle does not have a back seat, the car seat requirements are the same with the additional requirement that passenger-side airbag be disabled if a rear-facing seat is being used.
To ensure that your children’s car seat are properly installed, they should be inspected by certified child passenger safety technicians. The Dunellen Police Department plans to hold a Child Safety Seat Check sometime in October. However, residents can also visit the Middlesex County Child Safety Seat Station on the Rutgers University Campus (129 Davidson Rd., Piscataway, NJ) Thursdays, 3pm – 7pm, and Saturdays, 8:30am – Noon. For more information call: 732-932-1368.