02/09/06

National Child Passenger Safety Week

 (February 13 – 19)

8 out of 10 child car seats are being used incorrectly!!!

Parents are seen holding their children while driving!!!

Kids are not in a car seat!!

Crash after crash children in a properly installed and used car seat survive, many times with no injuries. February 13 to 19 is National Child Passenger Safety Week and the Peoria Police Department would like to remind you to always use your child car seat and set a GOOD example by always wearing your seat belt, no matter how short the trip is. Good habits started at birth will follow your child throughout their life and may be the one thing that saves their life if ever involved in a crash.

Here are some safety tips to make sure you are using your child’s car seat correctly:

1. Child is turned face-forward too early.  Babies must ride facing the rear until they are at least 1 year old and weigh 20 pounds -- preferably longer.

2. Seat isn't installed tightly enough.  When jiggled in the area where the safety belt is pulled through, the chair should not move more than 1 inch in any direction.

3. Harness straps are too loose.  The straps should be tightened so that slack can't be pinched between an adult's thumb and forefinger.

4. Infant seat angled incorrectly.  It must be reclined just enough so the child doesn't flop forward, but no more than 45 degrees from vertical.  If the infant is positioned at more than that, the infant could be thrown out between the straps headfirst.

5. Harness straps are in wrong slots.  In the rear-facing position, straps should be in slots at or just below the shoulder. In the forward-facing position, straps should come through the uppermost slots (unless a particular car seat's instructions specify otherwise).

6. Harness retainer clip is out of place.  It should be adjusted at the child's armpit level.

7. Locking clip is out of place.  If needed, it should be positioned no more than an inch from the safety-belt latch.

8. Safety belt isn't in locked mode.  Check vehicle's owner manual to determine what type of belts you have. Then follow directions regarding how they must be used with a child-safety restraint.

If you need help in installing a child car seat or just want to check to see if yours is installed correctly you can call the Peoria Police Department at (623) 773-8052 or (623) 773-7020 to schedule an appointment.

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