Keeping your kids safe

Keeping your kids safe

Driving

Most people know that babies and small children need to be in a federally-approved child car seat, and that your children should ride in the back seat of the car.  There have been some recent changes to the car seat laws so you should be up to date.  This is from the Florida DMV [http://www.dmv.org/fl-florida/safety-laws.php]

In Florida children under 7 must ride in a car seat. Failure to do so could result in a $60 fine and 3 points against your driver's license.

Use the following car seat guidelines from the FLHSMV while driving with a child in your vehicle.

·     Birth to 1 year old and at least 20 lbs.

·     Use a rear-facing child car seat in the back seat of the car.

·     1 year old and 20 lbs. – 4 years old and 40 lbs.

·     Use a forward-facing child seat in the back seat until they reach the weight and height limits recommended by the manufacturer.

·     Switch to a booster seat in the back of the car

·     4 years old and 40 lbs. – 8 years old or 4 ft 9 inches tall

·     Use a booster seat in the back seat until your child is big enough to use the car's seat belt.

·     8 years old or 4 ft 9 inches tall –12 years old

·     Have your child sit in the backseat with a seatbelt.

·     At 13 years old, your child can sit in the front seat of your car.

Definitely never drink and then drive, or text while you drive.  It's unsafe and against the law.