INDIANA – According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 14.
However, when used effectively, car seat restraints can reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers. The data shows how critical it is for parents to ensure their children are in the right seat for their age and size.
Keeping children safe while traveling in cars is important every day of the year, but the third week of September recognizes Child Passenger Safety Week. This week highlights the need to educate parents and caregivers on how to keep children of all ages and stages safe in vehicles.
During Child Passenger Safety Week, NHTSA and the Ad Council are launching a new series of public service announcements called “Love Protects” to encourage parents and caregivers to properly secure their children in the best car restraint for the child’s size.
On National Seat Check Saturday, Sept. 21 this year, certified child passenger safety technicians will be available at car seat check stations around the country to show parents and caregivers how to install and use a car seat correctly, free of charge.
Studies show that approximately half of all car seats are not installed correctly. Educating parents and caregivers on appropriately securing children in car seats can save lives.
NHTSA offers the following tips to help parents and caregivers find the right seat, install it correctly, and keep their child safe in vehicles:
- Learn about the four types of car seats, find out which car seat is appropriate for a child based on their age and size, and compare car seats and find ease-of-use ratings at NHTSA.gov/CarSeatsAndBoosterSeats.
- Make sure to get familiar with vehicle and car seat parts before installation, follow the vehicle and car seat installation instructions carefully, and visit the nearest car seat inspection station to ensure the car seat is installed correctly.
- Register car seats and booster seats to be notified of any safety recalls.
- Plan to use the appropriate car seat or booster seat when traveling and riding in taxis or ride-share vehicles.
- Resist the urge to transition a child into the next car seat or booster seat before they have outgrown their current seat. Check The Right Seat for NHTSA’s recommendations.
- Remember that older kids need the right seat, too. Many kids ages 8 to 12 years old still need to use booster seats, and the safest place for all children under 13 is the back seat.
- Make sure children are buckled up correctly every trip and remember to be a good role model by also buckling up every trip.
- Never leave a child alone in a vehicle, even for a minute. Take immediate action and call 911 if a child is found alone in a vehicle.
- Report a Safety Problem to NHTSA if a car seat is suspected of having a defect or not meeting federal regulations.
