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Child Car Seat Checks Ensure Proper Installation
Motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of death for children. Properly restraining children in the appropriate car seat is one way to ensure that children are safe during transportation in cars. Car safety seats can reduce the risk of death by up to 71%, but this advantage can be reduced if the restraints are not used appropriately.
Car seat checks are a great way for any caregiver to ensure that their child is properly utilizing their car seat. Anyone from new parents learning how to properly install their first car seat before the baby arrives to parents trying to figure out how to best fit multiple car seats across their back row can benefit from car seat checks. These checks are also valuable for grandparents or other caregivers, to double check that occasional rides in their vehicles are as safe as possible.
These events are not only a great way to check the installation of a child car seat, but also to learn more about car seat use in general. Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) are passionate about child car safety, and even more passionate about sharing their knowledge with parents and caregivers. They are happy to educate you on how and when to transition to the next seat, share tips and tricks for installations, and provide you with resources to reference at any time.
To ensure that your car seat is installed correctly, take advantage of free child car seat checks in your area. CPSTs will work with any caregiver to practice proper car seat installations in your specific vehicle, talk about next steps for your growing child, and learn about why safety is so important. Virtual or in-person appointments may be available based on your current location. Schedule an inspection here: (https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats#installation-help-inspection)
by: Rosalie Connell