About the Booster Seat Safety Program

Safety in a Box - "What's right for me?"

Program Developed by UMPIRE - University of Michigan Program for Injury Research and Education

Target Population - Children 4 to 8 years of age and their parents, guardians and caregivers

Facts -

  • Using a Belt Positioning Booster Seats with a seat belt instead of a seat belt alone reduces a child's risk of injury in a crash by 59%.
  • In 2002, 62% of 4 to 8 year olds were inappropriately restrained in only a seat belt.
  • Some state laws are confusing - Michigan state law indicates child safety seats are only required until age 4, therefore parents believe they are protecting their children with just a belt and a shoulder harness alone.
  • Until age 14 the single most dangerous activity a child can do is ride in a car.
  • Children restrained in adult belts are 4 times more likely to sustain a devastating head injury
  • Properly positioned belts allow the strong bones of the body to take the load. If the lap portion of the belt is too high the belt compresses the soft and vulnerable abdominal organs and stresses the spine. Booster seats are used to properly position belts.

To this point, UMPIRE has:

  • Demonstrated Safety in a Box Program for the Ann Arbor Safety Town summer program for 4 and 5 year olds.
  • Distributed twenty program boxes throughout Michigan with fifty more ready for distribution.
  • Partnered with AAA to produce a booster seat storybook, which was launched during National Child Safety Week in February 2005. Distribution of the storybook covers a six state region.
  • Distributed booster seats to Migrant Families in Adrian Michigan

Children Must

  • Be in the back seat and buckled in
  • Be seated in the appropriate restraint
  • Have seat belts positioned properly