Booster Seats Requirements

NEW LAW Requires Booster Seats for Kids under 7....As of July 2008

Every child under the age of seven needs to be fastened in a booster seat while riding in a vehicle. Safety leaders believe the new law will save lives.

"Vehicle seatbelts were really not designed for small children," said Michael Hughes, executive director of Safe Kids Mississippi. "They were designed for adults, so many times that vehicle seat belt does not fit a small child properly." Securing your child in a booster seat can prevent serious injury and even death. The booster seat raises a child up so a seat belt fits properly across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt lies on the collar bone and comes across the chest.

Beginning Tuesday (July 1st 2008), law enforcement officials will be enforcing Mississippi's new booster seat law. Children ages four, five and six and less than 4'9" in height or weighing less than 65 pounds will be required to travel in a booster seat. "It's estimated that about 50% of the children who die in motor vehicle accidents every year die because they are improperly restrained," said Hughes. "So it will save a tremendous amount of lives."

You can face a $25 fine for not properly restraining your child!

If you are not sure how to fasten a car seat or booster seat or would like some assistance, visit any one of the following locations. This list was compiled by Safe Kids Mississippi.

Madison Fire Department
7466 Old Canton Rd.
Madison, MS 39110
Contact: Derrick Layton
601-941-5883

Safe Kids Mississippi
1304 Vine Street
Jackson, MS 39202
(601) 360-0531 office
(601) 360-0537 fax

Coastal Plain Public Health District IX
Biloxi, MS
Contact: Brad Williams
228-831-5151

Baptist Hospital-DeSoto
7601 Southcrest Parkway
Southaven, MS 38671
662-349-4100

ColumbusStation #1205
7th Street South
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 329-5121

Station #2
1802 MLK
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 329-5122

Fire & Life Safety Education Office
1629 Main Street
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 245-5075

Fitting StationSafe Kids East Central Mississippi
District IV Health Department
5224 Valley Street
Meridian, MS 39304
601-693-2407