Child Passenger Safety Week: September 14th-20th

How many times per day are you driving around in your car with kids? Whether it’s a quick trip to the grocery store or an epic road trip, parents have the very serious responsibility of keeping their kids safe and the world we live in makes this a daunting task!

Did you know: Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children age 1 to 13 in the USA. Kids are precious cargo, and if parents always used child safety seats, these fatality rates would be reduced by half. A simple, regular check of car seats goes a long way in keeping kids safe as passengers in cars.

The Ad Council and The Department of Transportation are asking parents and caregivers to educated themselves on car seat safety during Child Passenger Safety week, September 14-20. They have compiled amazing resources to make sure kids are safely secured in the car.

First, make sure your children are in the right seat for their height and weight.

SaferCar.gov/TheRightSeat has all the resouces parents need to check if a car seat is the right size for their child.

Once you have confirmed your car seat is the right size for your child, make sure it is installed correctly. The website Safercar.gov/parents/RightFit.htm offers tips to make sure your car seat is properly installed for “the right fit.”

Next, get your car seat checked. During Child Passenger Safety Week, there will be more than 600 Car Seat Check events in 45 states across the country where certified child passenger safety technicians will inspect car seats and show parents and caregivers how to correctly install and use them. In most cases, this service is free of charge. Locate a car seat check event here: http://www.safercar.gov/cpsApp/cps/index.htm.

Lastly, follow these very important Car Seat Safety Tips:

• Find a car seat that fits your child. As children grow, how they sit in your car will change. Make sure the car seat you purchase is designed to fit your child’s current size and age.
• Not all car seats fit in all vehicles so test the car seat you plan to buy to make sure it fits well in your vehicle.
• Before putting your child in a car seat, read the manufacturer’s instructions so you know how your car seat works.
• All-in-One car seats offer you the advantage of using the same seat for the following positions: rear-facing, forward-facing with harness, then booster. These seats typically have higher height and weight limits for the rear-facing position, allowing you to keep your child rear-facing for a longer period of time.
• Remember, the best car seat is the one that fits your child properly, is easy to use, and fits in your vehicle correctly. The information here can help you choose the right seat for your child. Keep in mind that:
  • Your child under age 1 should always ride in a rear-facing car seat.
  • Children ages 1-3 should be kept rear-facing as long as possible.
  • Keep your child in the back seat at least through age 12.
  • Be certain you’ve installed your car seat correctly by having it checked at an inspection station or by a certified child passenger safety technician. Bring the Car Seat Instructions AND the Vehicle Owner’s Manual with you to a seat check appointment!

For more information on car seat safety: safercar.gov/therightseat.