Child Passenger Safety Week

Securing children properly in age and size appropriate child safety seats — in the backseat of the vehicle — is the most effective thing parents and caregivers can do to protect them in the event of a crash. In fact, in motor vehicle crashes, child safety seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for infants, 54 percent for toddlers (USDOT NHTSA Center for Statistics and Analysis) and 59 percent for children in boosters (Children’s Hospital for Philadelphia).

Nationally among child passengers under age 5, child restraints saved the lives of an estimated 244 children in 2008 alone. Even so, motor vehicle traffic crashes remain the leading cause of death for children age 3 and older.

The good news is that a majority of parents buckle up their children in child safety seats, booster seats, or seat belts. Observed use surveys indicate that 99% of children under age four are riding in child seats but only 58% of four to eight year olds are using booster seats as required by law. In addition, nearly 3 out of 4 child safety seats are not used properly. For a child safety seat to do its job right, it has to be:

♦ Appropriate for the child’s age and size;
♦ Installed properly in the vehicle; and
♦ Adjusted to fit the child securely.

Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians are available to help.



Child Passenger Safety Week, September 19 – 25 is an annual nationwide campaign focusing on increasing awareness of these issues and providing parents and caregivers with resources and information to better protect children from motor vehicle crash risks. Even if you’ve had your child’s car seat inspected before, it never hurts to have a refresher

ESC offers FREE car seat check ups at our office in Seattle. to schedule an appointment, email Safety Norm or call our office 206-382-4090. In Oregon? Call the ACTS Oregon Child Safety Seat Resource Center at 877-793-2608 or 503-643-5620. In other areas, find FREE check up locations and events online.


Borrowed from our friends at ACTS Oregon.