Changes in automobiles, car seats, and laws have made child passenger issues very specialized. Car seat technicians must complete extensive training, practical applications, and refreshers to offer families the skill set needed to ensure that children are safe passengers. Fire District 6 is not able to provide this specialized service due to these requirements.
The Safekids Coalition in Clark County has experts in the child passenger field. Vancouver Police Department personnel offer monthly car seat clinics as well as personal appointments to check for safety. Contact Doris Girt by phone at 360-487-7466 or by e-mail at
doris.girt@ci.vancouver.wa.us or go to the links at the bottom of the page for additional information.
Washington's Child Restraint Law
Effective June 1, 2007, children less than eight years old must be restrained in child restraint systems, unless the child is four feet nine inches or taller. A child who is eight years old or older, or four feet nine inches or taller, must be properly restrained either with the motor vehicle's safety belt or an appropriately fitting child restraint system. Children under thirteen years old must be transported in rear seats where it is practical to do so.
The fine for improperly restrained children in motor vehicles is at least $112 per child. For more information on choosing the safest seat for your child, please call 1-800-BUCK-L-UP toll-free.
On June 1, 2007, Washington's revised Child Restraint Law went into effect. This law, also known as the Anton Skeen Act, is one of the strongest child restraint laws in the nation. It requires the use of booster seats for older children. In 2000, Washington was the first state in the nation to pass this type of law.
Key provisions of the law:
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Children under the age of 16 years must be restrained in a vehicle according to the following:
- 1 year of age AND under, or weighing less than 20 pounds:
a rear facing infant seat
- Between 1 - 4 years old, or 20 - 40 pounds:
a forward facing child safety seat
- Children under 8 years of age, unless 4 feet 9 inches tall:
a booster seat with a lap and shoulder belt
- Children over 8 years of age:
a properly-fitting seat belt or a booster seat with a lap and shoulder belt
NOTE: Doctors and safety experts recommend that children ride in booster seats until the lap and shoulder belt fit right, usually when they are at least 4'9" tall, or around 8 years old.
- As of June 1, 2007, tickets cost $112 for each improperly restrained child, including if the child safety seat harness is not buckled, or if the older child has put the shoulder belt behind his back.
- Shoulder belts must be used with booster seats at all times! A child is exempt from the booster seat law requirement, only when a child weighs 40 pounds or more and is in a vehicle with lap-only belts.
The law was the work of a bi-partisan legislative effort spurred on by a Walla Walla parent, Autumn Alexander Skeen.
Autumn lost her four-year-old son, Anton Skeen in a rollover collision. Anton was using a seat belt in accordance with state law at the time. Yet, because seat belts are built for adult bodies, he slid out of his seat belt and was thrown from the vehicle and crushed in the collision.
For more information contact Fire District 6 at (360) 576-1195
Links for more information:
