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| Motor
vehicle crashes are the number one cause
of death of children over the age of six
months in the United States. The proper
use of child car seats is one of the simplest
and most effective methods available for
protecting the lives of our young children
in the event of a motor vehicle crash. |
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| However,
3 out of every 4 children in child safety
seats are not properly secured, or even
worse, not restrained at all. Only the correct
use of child car seats will offer the protection
your child needs. Please be aware of the
facts listed on these Child Safety pages
regarding the proper use of child car seats. |
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| There
are many different types of child car seats
on the market today. Each one must meet federal
standards and all provide good protection for
your child when used correctly. The "right"
seat for you is largely a matter of personal
choice. Choose a seat that fits your child and
your car, read the instructions carefully, and
use the seat correctly on every trip. |
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| Just
as there are several types of Child Safety Seats,
there are also several methods for securing
these seats to a vehicle. Seat belt systems,
lap belts or lap and shoulder belts are designed
to be used for this purpose. |
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| LATCH,
which is an acronym for Lower Anchors and Tethers
for Children, was designed to make installing
child safety seats in vehicles easier. Nearly
every car seat, and most vehicles manufactured
since September 1, 2002 are required to have
the LATCH system. For more information on LATCH
including instructional videos, please click
on the following link: LATCH |
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| For
a list of free Child Safety Seat Check events
statewide, visit the Seat
Check Schedule page. |
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| For
more information about the national Child Passenger
Safety program, please visit the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
web page. |
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| Note
to Expectant Parents: Plan
to have your child safety seat (infant seat)
installed in your vehicle at least three weeks
before the due date of your baby. By visiting
the Seat
Check Schedule page, and finding a nearby
open event, or scheduling an appointment for
at least three weeks prior to the due date,
you'll make sure that you're ready for the big
day. Most babies are delivered within the month
surrounding the due date, so by including your
child seat education three weeks before, the
odds of being fully prepared on the birth day
are enhanced. |
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| Correct
use is easy if you follow four steps: |
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