Area Safety Advocates too Host Car Seat Check Events During Child Passenger Safety Week
SIKESTON, MO – Recognizing that nearly half of all car seats are installed incorrectly (according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Management study), local safety advocates are offering free car seat inspections during Child Passenger Safety Week, September 21-27. Cape Girardeau Safe Communities, the Southeast Coalition for Roadway Safety, and other partners will host events throughout southeast and south central Missouri to help parents and caregivers ensure their children ride as safely as possible.
Inspection stations will be available in Bloomfield, Fredericktown, Hayti, Jackson, Kennett, Licking, Park Hills, Perryville, Sikeston, and Van Buren. Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will be on hand to provide education on proper car seat installation and usage, check expiration dates, and review potential car seat recalls. Each check is expected to take approximately 30 minutes.
“Motor vehicle injuries remain a leading cause of death for children in the United States,” notes data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, wich also indicates that using age- and size-appropriate car seats, booster seats, and seat belts can reduce serious injuries and fatalities by up to 80%.
To help families prioritize child passenger safety, advocates offer these fast tips:
* Buckle Up, Everyone: Always wear a seat belt yourself and ensure all passengers do the same. Setting a good example encourages children to use their car seats, booster seats, and seat belts consistently.
* Back Seat for Under 13s: The back seat is the safest place for children under 13 years of age.
* Never Leave a Child Alone: Even a minute is too long to leave a child unattended in a vehicle, as temperatures can rise rapidly – up to 19 degrees in just 10 minutes.
* Get Your Seat Checked: Visit a car seat check event to confirm correct installation and usage. Common errors include lose harnesses, improper use of the seat belt or LATCH system, failure to use the tether correctly, and risks associated with second-hand car seats or boosters.
For more details about Car Seat Check Events and locations, contact Rachel Penny at Cape Girardeau Safe communities at (573)339-6365, or Ashley Metelski at MoDOT at (573)380-9432. You can also find details online at https://www.savemolives.com/mcrs/car-seat-check-event.
###
