To be Rear-Facing or Not to be Rear Facing

Car Seat Flyer

Did you know the American Academy of Pediatrics, (APP), advises parents to keep their toddlers in a rear-facing car seat until age 2?  (or until they reach the maximum height and weight for their seat) This is the APP’s current and best practice policy. The State of Wisconsin has not yet passed a law to support such practice, however, several states across the country have.

  • Car Seat FlyerResearch has found that children under two are safer in rear-facing car seats.
  • Infant heads are proportionally large for their bodies and injury to their head and developing spine are more likely to happen in a car crash. In a crash, the head of child who is forward-facing will thrust toward the front of the vehicle, with the potential to cause serve injury to their spine.
  • When a toddler is in a rear facing car seat, the entire child restraint back will cradle the child and protect the head, neck, and spine during a crash.

Right now, there is a bill in the Senate (Senate Bill 332) which proposes a modification to the current 2015 Assembly Bill 400. In this proposed modification, child passenger restraints would be required to be rear-facing until age 2 and no weight limit. Currently, Bill 400 states that children under one year old or less than 20 pounds be a rear-facing car seat.

So how would this Senate Bill 332 impact our community if it is passed?

  • Children would be better protected in a car crash. Many parents look to laws about how to keep their children safe in car seats.  This law would help make toddlers safer throughout Wisconsin and in our local community to prevent injuries or even death.

Will I need to buy a new seat?

  • Car seats have evolved to accommodate a child rear facing longer. So families would not have to buy an additional child restraint with this new law but could continue to use their current seat until their child turns two.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PKuNJujMYw?rel=0

If I have Questions or Concerns, who do I contact?

  • Forest County Potawatomi Community Health Department has two Certified Car Seat Technicians: Yvonne Robles-715.478.4319 and Calli Victor-(715) 478-4398
  • Safe Kids Wausau Area – (715) 847-2864

Resources