Garrett County Health Department sponsoring child safety seat checks

For the Cumberland Times-News
Cumberland Times-News The Cumberland Times-News Sun Sep 18, 2011, 11:13 PM EDT

CUMBERLAND — Is your child’s car seat among the nearly three out of four that are used improperly?

Despite the best intentions of parents and caregivers, many car seats are misused, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Free Child Passenger Safety Week educational events are being held at locations nationwide this week.

The Garrett County Health Department will be scheduling appointments to have a certified child passenger safety technician inspect car seats and provide hands-on advice and instruction.

The majority of parents do buckle their children in car seats, booster seats or seat belts. Yet every year, thousands of children are killed or injured in crashes. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 1 through 12 years old.

So what are parents and caregivers doing wrong?

For one, the harness straps may not be fastened tightly enough. The seat may not firmly be attached to the vehicle or a young child might be seated in a forward-facing car seat when she is still too young or could still be riding in the rear-facing position. Or worst of all, a child may not be seated in a car seat or seat belt at all.

For a car seat to do its job, it has to be the right one for a child’s age and size. Car seats also must be installed properly to provide adequate protection, and they must be adjusted to fit the child securely.

Appointments are available at the following Garrett County Health Department locations and times:

• Tuesday at the Grantsville Office (28 Hershberger Lane) from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m.

• Thursday at health department’s Oakland office from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m.

To make an appointment, call the health department at 301-334-7730 or 301-895-7730.

More here.

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