It's Child Passenger Safety Week. Find a FREE car seat check in your area, Plus more free resources.
Child Passenger Safety Week September 14 through 20, 2014.
Before you bring your newborn home from the hospital you have to install the car seat. Correctly. As your child grows, child seats change. From the newborn car seat to a booster seat, please be sure, really sure, that the seat is installed correctly in your vehicle.
Did you know that motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children age 1 to 13 in the USA? The fatality rate could be reduced by about half if the correct child safety seat were always used.
Did you know that motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children age 1 to 13 in the USA? The fatality rate could be reduced by about half if the correct child safety seat were always used.
Parents and caregivers should be sure to register their child’s car seat with the manufacturer so as to be informed in the event of a recall.
Here are resources to help you correctly install and use the seats safely.
o Installation Resources: If a car seat is not installed correctly, your child's safety could be in danger. Every car seat has different installation instructions. Find out more at safecargov
o Free Car Seat Checks: During Child Passenger Safety Week, there will be more than 600 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 safecargov
Research shows that three out of every four car seats are not used correctly, meaning the child is not in the correct car seat for their age, height and weight, or the car seat is not installed correctly. In 2012, over one third (37%) of children killed in car crashes were not in car seats or wearing seat belts.
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:
· 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:
o Your child under age 1 should always ride in a rear-facing car seat.
o Children ages 1-3 should be kept rear-facing as long as possible.
o Keep your child in the back seat at least through age 12.
o 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!
Come to the Twitter party on September 17, 2014 beginning at 3 PM use the hashtag: #TheRightSeat for more info and share your child car seat thoughts.