Booster seats, car seats save kids

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, three out of four safety seats are improperly installed. During Child Passenger Safety Week, Sept. 18-24, parents and other caregivers across Missouri can have certified child passenger safety technicians inspect their car seats and provide hands-on advice free of charge.

National Seat Check Saturday is Sept. 24. A list of car seat inspection stations, as well as information on scheduled events offering free on-site car seat checks, can be found at www.savemolives.com/child-passengers.html.

Seat Check Saturday concludes the week-long child safety seat campaign, which includes education on proper safety seat installation and use, as well as increased law enforcement cracking down on Missouri's child safety seat law violators.

Car crashes are the number one killer of children. Last year, 10 children under 8 years of age were killed and 1,770 were injured as occupants in motor vehicle crashes in Missouri. The NHTSA says that more than 9,300 children have been saved by the use of child restraints.

"It is critical that parents and caregivers use the appropriate booster seats and car seats for children up to age eight," said Leanna Depue, chair of the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety's executive committee. "Child Passenger Safety Week provides an excellent opportunity to educate yourself on the proper restraint system for your child and have your booster seat or safety seat inspected by trained professionals to ensure it's installed correctly."

Missouri law requires all children younger than 8 years to be in a child safety or booster seat until they are 80 pounds or 4'9" tall. With the variety of makes and models of car seats on the market, many parents are confused on how to properly install the seats. A NHTSA study reveals nearly three out of four parents don't know how to use child safety restraints properly.

"Properly installed booster and safety seats can save your child's life," Depue said. "I hope parents and caregivers take advantage of this week to ensure that their child is protected."

Detailed instructions on how to install and use a variety of types of car seats in booster seats also is available at www.savemolives.com/child-passengers.html.