Information and post courtesy of Ad Coucil.

It is Child Passenger Safety Week – Please join us in spreading this important message!

Did you know that every 33 seconds a child under 13 is involved in a car crash in the United States? That probably isn’t the first thing you think about when you are hauling your kids to school, the grocery store, or anywhere else around town. And really, you shouldn’t have to worry about whether or not your child is safely snuggled into the right car seat every time you get in the car. Instead, make sure your child is in the right seat from the get-go.
One of the goals of Child Passenger Safety Week is to encourage parents and caregivers to visit SaferCar.gov/TheRightSeat (or SaferCar.gov/Protegidos for Spanish-language information) to determine if their child is in the right seat for his or her age and size and to locate a car seat check station in their area. However – it doesn’t stop there. 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.

Is Your Child In The Right Seat?:
• 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!

Is Your Seat Installed Properly?:
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. You can find resources and tips here to help you get “the right fit” on your car seats: http://www.safercar.gov/parents/RightFit.htm
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 here:http://www.safercar.gov/cpsApp/cps/index.htm

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.
Get this message out to your friends and family!
• Twitter – Many parents do not realize their child is in the wrong car seat. Visit Safercar.gov/TheRightSeat and make sure your child is riding safely. #therightseat.
• Facebook – Storks know how to keep kids safe. Do you? Visit safercar.gov/therightseat to know for sure that your child is in the right seat for their age and size. #STORKS #TheRightSeat

** Follow along all week as I post tips and information about Car Seat Safety. x. em. **