Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

County prosecutor speaks out on car seat safety

Clark County Prosecutor Blake Batson hopes to keep children safe while they ride in vehicles. To help accomplish that, he's sending out letters to people who have been reported to have improperly used - or have failed to use - the correct child safety seats.

Times have changed, Batson said. Gone are the days when children can stand up in the front seat beside a driver, he said. "I rode on my Daddy's hard hat in his electrical company truck because I couldn't see over the dash otherwise," he said. "It's simply not safe to do that anymore, and it's against the law."

The letter he sends focuses on safety, warning only that future violations can result in a fine. According to Elizabeth Garner, Clark County District Court clerk, the fine for failure to properly secure a child in a safety seat is $200.The letter states, "My primary interest is in the safety of the children of Clark County. As you may know, I am also a volunteer fireman and I have witnessed first hand the tragedy of an unrestrained child thrown from an automobile during an accident."

Batson said he decided to send the letters now because summer is typically the prime travel time for families. "The kids are out of school, so lots of people are traveling now."

In the past, the Clark County Health Unit had grant funds to help provide parents with child safety seats, but that program ended several years ago, a spokeswoman said.If someone needs help installing or using a child safety seat, the health department refers them to the Arkadelphia Police Department or Clark County Sheriff's Office, she said.

Sheriff David Turner said he and his officers will work with citizens to figure out how to properly use a child safety seat. "If someone's family gives them a seat and they don't know how to use it, we'll work with them to figure it out," he said.Baptist Health Medical Center-Arkadelphia will not discharge a newborn baby unless the parents have a child safety seat that fits properly, said Greg Stubblefield, hospital administrator. While the hospital does not have a program to help provide those seats, the idea is being pursued, he said.

Along with Batson's letter, parents will find information from the Arkansas Children's Hospital about the proper use of child safety seats.According to the hospital, infants must be rear-facing in the back seat of a vehicle until they are at least 1 year old and weigh 20 pounds. Children over 20 pounds and 1 year of age may be seated in forward-facing seats with an internal harness, in the back seat of the vehicle.

Once the child weighs 40 pounds, a booster seat must be used with the regular vehicle seat belt, until the child weighs 80 pounds and is 4 feet, 10 inches tall.

Regular seat belts alone should not be used until the child is able to sit in the seat normally, with knees bent at the edge of the seat. The seat belt shoulder strap should fit comfortably across the chest, (not the neck) and the lap belt should fit low and tight across the upper thighs, the hospital recommends. There are three types of child safety seats, infant, convertible and booster. Not every seat is designed to fit in every vehicle. If possible, install the safety seat in a vehicle before buying the seat, to make sure it will fit and function properly.

The children's hospital recommends that all children 12 and younger sit in the back seat of the vehicle, properly restrained.

The hospital has a program to help provide training about the proper use of car seats. For more information, contact them at 501-364-KIDS.