In Holton Township, Michigan, Isaiah Hill, a 6-year-old -- the same age as my own son -- died when he was ejected from the car after a crash. He was not restrained at all. No booster or seat belt. His mother, 24-year-old Sheena Joslin, was driving in inclement weather when her car crossed the middle line and struck an oncoming vehicle. Isaiah's 1-month-old brother Peyton was also ejected, but was in his car seat. The seriousness of Peyton's injuries are unknown.
We may never know why this mom didn't have 6-year-old Isaiah in a booster and secured by a seat belt. But we do know Isaiah's life is over. He will never graduate kindergarten. He will never grow up. He will never get married. He will never have children. He will never smile one more time, ever. He is DEAD.
Booster and car seat safety is so important. Children's lives depend on moms and dads and caretakers taking the time to educate themselves about how to secure kids in the car so in the event of an accident, they are given the best chance to survive it. And yet, people went crazy and got upset with the announcement of the National Highway Traffic Safety Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics updated booster and car seat recommendations that toddlers stay rear-facing as long as their convertible (not infant) car seat allows, until 2 as a bare minimum. And that children need to stay in a belt-positioning booster until they are at least 4'9" tall, AND 8 years old -- which is law in many states already, including Michigan where Isaiah lived and died.
That's the reason these new recommendations are finally out there, not to punish moms or make your life difficult. It's not a conspiracy by car seat companies in an attempt to make you spend more money, but it's so your child doesn't end up bleeding out on the pavement or the hospital bed.
So to clear up some confusion, these are the rules for boosters:
Your child has to be 8 years old. No matter how tall or heavy they are. This is due to the development of their hip bones and spine. Their bones have to be able to take the impact from a seatbelt, which distributes it less evenly than a 5-point harness, and in different locations.
Your child has to be 4'9" AND 8 years old. If they hit 4'9" at 6 or 7, they still need to be in a booster until they get to be 8. This is to help them at least be in the bare minimum range of the lowest average adults, since seatbelts are designed to fit adults, not children (and in Europe, according to a Safe Kids expert, smaller adults do use boosters).
If your kiddo hits their 8th birthday and is 4'9", congrats! Now all you have to do is the 5-Point Test to make sure they fit safely!
- Can your child sit with their back flat against the back of the seat?
- Do their legs bend comfortably past the edge of the seat?
- Does the belt cross between the neck and shoulder?
- Is the lap belt as low as possible, across the tops of thighs and hip bones?
- Can the child stay seated like this the whole trip?
If the answer is no to ANY of those, your kiddo just isn't ready yet. If they won't leave the belt where it belongs, slouch, or fall asleep a lot, they are much safer AND likely to be way more comfortable in a booster. If the belt rides up on their belly, they risk damage to the internal organs, and if it ends up on their neck, it can crush their esophagus and trachea. Not good. Have you had the belt rub on your neck before? Ouch!
Many moms are concerned about finding a booster that fits a larger kid -- don't be. Ask a car seat tech or advocate about the best fitting seat for your child and your budget. Prices vary from $13 for a Harmony Juvenile booster (yes, seriously) to $300 for a Sunshine Kids Monterey booster. I've got a $70 Britax Parkway SG that my 5'9" husband fits into so finding one that fits until your child is big enough to go without just isn't a problem with the seats out there.
When the risk is death, like 6-year-old Isaiah whose mom didn't make sure he was restrained properly for whatever reason, is that $13, probably what you spend at Starbucks in one trip, really worth gambling your child's life over? Yeah, didn't think so.
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Comments 128
My kid is small, he's got small genes, there's no getting around it. He was rear facing until he was 4. Then he was heavy enough to turn around. I fully expect he'll be in a booster for a LONG time. I'm just going to teach him that Mommy and Daddy love him VERY VERY much and we want him safe in a car. That is why he's in a booster when his friends may not be. End of discussion.
I know adults that sit on pillows to fit in the car, you can't tell me that is safe. They need a safer alternative. At least I know my son will be safely belted into a car going 65mph or so down the freeway.
I'm refraining from making a judgement here. My stomach is in a knot after reading this. Let this serve as a reminder to always buckle our kids in, no matter how short your trip is.
Someone told me once to just hold my 3 month old son while we drove from one parking lot to the next...yeah, no.
I don't think it's crass to use this either. How many people have that "it'll never happen to me" mentality? It can happen, and it DOES! The more articles and information that is put out there like this, the more chances that at least one more person may do more research on their own and make the BEST safety decision they possibly can. Thanks for a wonderful article, Christie. I truly appreciate them.
billsfan - Is the use of the word Nazi necessary? You do know what the Nazi's did right? Comparing people who care about child's safety to people who committed genocide? Yes...they're totally the same. Why are all your posts so bitchy and defensive? You call us Nazi's and bitches and catty. Take a look at all of your posts. Every single one.
My children will still be in a booster at 6. Likely still be harnessed too if they fit the weight/height limits of the seat. That is all.
This is so sad and preventable.. And yet some on here will continue to spew ignorance and make their children pay the price for it. SHe may have not known the booster law, but you know you have to wear a damn seatbelt, there's no excuse for that. SHE caused his death. Period.
even if he had a booster seat he still could have died. his brother was in a car seat and still ejected too. he died because he was not restrained at all. i also agree with billsfan.
My 12 year old is in a booster. I havent heard a word about her being embarassed or being teased. I dont think anyone even knows there is a booster seat in there when she gets in a vehicle. What will her peers say about it? Its not like they dont KNOW she is super small for her age. She walks the halls in middle school starring at belly buttons! OBVIOUSLY she is a special case and only some d-bag kid would tease her over that! Its more likely an adult would give her grief over it!