Town of Westford, MA - Child Car Seat Installations

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Child Car Seat Installations

This free program is offered to the public to ensure that all children are properly secured while riding in motor vehicles. All seats will be inspected for safety recalls by the manufacturer, and that they apply properly to the child using the seat, and the seats will be installed with instructions given to the parents as to all the safety features. Appointments for Car Seat Installations can be made by calling the Fire Alarm Office at 978-692-5542.

Westford Firefighter/EMT William Stone, Sr. is a Nationally Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.

Massachusetts Child Safety Seat Law

Chapter 90 Section 7AA, effective on April 9, 1997.

The law states that ALL children under the age of 5 (five) AND weighing less than 40 (forty) lbs. MUST be in a properly installed child safety seat.

Infants and small children ride in car seats until:

1. They are at least 5 years old AND

2. They weigh over 40 lbs.

The types of car seats permitted include federally approved infant, toddler, convertible and booster seats.

Children who weigh more than 40 pounds but are under 5 years old must ride in a booster seat.

Children who are 5 years of age or older, and also weigh more than 40 pounds, must wear a seat belt that is properly adjusted.

Federally approved booster seats are permitted and recommended for children who weigh between 40 and 60 pounds.

Children using the vehicle seat belt only should not place the shoulder belt under the arm or behind the back.

This law applies to children riding in:

All types of privately owned vehicles.

1. Vehicle for hire, including taxi cabs. It is the responsibility of the child's parent or

2. Caregiver to provide the car seat for use in taxi cab. The driver of a taxi will be fined if he/she does not provide a car seat.

The law does not apply to:

1. Children in school buses.

2. Children riding in a vehicle made before July 1, 1966 that does not have safety belts.

3. Children physically unable to use either a conventional car seat or a child restraint specifically designed for children with special needs. Inability to use a child restraint of either type must be certified in writing by physician.

The safest place for children is in the back seat.

All infants should remain rear-facing until at least one year of age AND and at least 20 lbs.

Never place a rear-facing child safety seat in a front passenger seat with an air bag.

FINE: The driver will be fined $25.00 for each unrestrained child.

For more information call the Massachusetts Governor's Highway Safety Bureau at 617-973-8900, or the Injury Prevention and Control Program, MA Dept. of Public Health, toll free at 1-800-227-SAFE or Firefighter Stone at the Westford Fire Department at (978)-692-5542. Appointments can be made through Fire Alarm at (978)-692-5542


Town of Westford \| 55 Main Street, Westford, MA 01886 \| 978.692.5500 \| 8am-4pm Monday - Friday \| Home