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Make Sure Your Child's Car Seat is Installed Correctly

Proper use of a car seat can determine whether an infant survives a motor vehicle accident-and four out five car seats are incorrectly installed.

Happily, the Chipresgarcia family got it right Tuesday, April 21, 2009, when a truck collided with their SUV in Ft. Meyers. The horrifying crash left their SUV upside down, but their rear-facing car seat was correctly installed in the back seat, saving their 1-year-old infant's life.

Many pediatricians now recommend new car seat standards for infants, requiring that children up to two years of age be secured in rear-facing seats, designed to support up to 50 lbs.     

            To be a lifesaver, follow these simple car seat safety tips:

1. Schedule a car seat safety check with Safe Kids North Central Florida, (352) 231-4636, and have your car seat properly installed by a specialized technician.  Parents who attend a free one-hour Safe Kids car seat safety course, regularly scheduled in Gainesville, Fort White, Old Town, and Live Oak, are eligible to receive a reduced-cost car seat for $45 or a booster for $20.  Those receiving public benefits may purchase a car seat for $20.
2. Avoid a second-hand seat, if you do not know its crash history. A car seat should be discarded after it has been involved in a car accident.
3. Check car seat recalls with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
4. Verify your car seat's safety ratings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For more information:
Its The Law: The Importance of Car Seats