Parents and caregivers have a lot on their plates, including making sure every child is safe while in a vehicle. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Region 7, including Arkansas and Missouri, is conducting its annual Child Passenger Safety Week through Saturday. The week is dedicated to educating parents and caregivers about the importance of correctly choosing, installing, and using car seats, booster seats, and seat belts to ensure their child is safe while in a motor vehicle.
According to the NHTSA, they encourage everyone to take an hour or so out of this safety week to double-check their child’s car seat or booster seat to ensure it’s the right seat for the child’s age and size along with being installed correctly as it can make a major difference in an accident.
Locally, both the Mountain Home Police Department and Baxter County Sheriff’s Office will check your child safety seats to make sure they are installed properly, free of charge. Lieutenant Bryan Corbett and Officer James Tilley at the Mountain Home Police Department are available Monday through Friday from 8-4. Lieutenant Corbett suggests making an appointment by calling 870-425-6336. Admin. Deputy Julie Tilley of the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office is available Monday through Thursday from 8-4:30. She says anyone can come by the office for a check during those hours, but appointments can also be made by calling 870-425-7000.
Regional NHTSA Administrator, Susan DeCourcy says they hope Child Passenger Safety Week will serve as a reminder and an opportunity for parents and caregivers to take a moment to ensure their child is as safe as possible when in a car, truck, or SUV. According to DeCourcey, she says ‘sadly, two children under 13 were killed every day in 2020 while riding in vehicles. In our region alone, 94 children lost their lives in crashes that year. Every parent wants to be sure their child is as safe as possible in a vehicle.’
According to the NHTSA, motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death among children, and the latest research shows nearly half (46%) of car seats are misused. Using age- and size-appropriate car seats and installing them correctly are the best ways to reduce these deaths. DeCourcy states “more than one-third of children 12 and younger who died in crashes in 2020 were unbuckled.”
Car Seats Versus Booster Seats
There is also a deadly misconception a certain type of vehicle may offer greater protection for your child. Children are safest when correctly secured in the right car seat or booster seat for their age and size-regardless of the vehicle type. No matter how safe you think your vehicle may be, it is never safe, nor legal, to let your child ride unbuckled.
Keep children rear-facing as long as possible, up to the top height and weight allowed by their particular seats. It’s the best way to keep them safe. Once a child outgrows the rear-facing car seat, he or she is ready to travel in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether. After outgrowing the forward-facing car seat, a child should be placed in a booster seat until tall enough to fit in a seat belt properly.
Booster seats are an essential step between car seats and seat belts. These transitional seats position the seat belt so it fits properly over the stronger parts of your child’s body. Don’t feel pressured to put your child in a seat belt too soon. If your child is ready to use a seat belt, ensure the seat belt fits correctly. The bottom line is that the safest place for all kids under 13 is in the back seat, whether in a car seat, booster, or seat belt.
During Child Passenger Safety Week, you can find out if a technician is available in your community by virtual appointment by visiting www.nhtsa.gov/carseat.
For more information on child car seat safety, as well as how to find other virtual car seat check events, go to www.nhtsa.gov/therightseat.
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