Safe Kids Columbus is pleased to partner with U.S. Health Works to offer a free car seat check this Saturday.  The goal of this partnership is to raise awareness about proper child restraint and to offer assistance to parents so they can make sure their child is riding properly restrained. Area child passenger safety technicians will offer a FREE car seat check event for the community.  
 
The car seat inspection event will be held:

Saturday, October 14, 2017 from 9:00a.m. – 11:30a.m.

U.S. Health Works, 7901 Veterans Parkway, Columbus, GA

(at the corner of Veterans Parkway and Williams Road)
 
Appointments are not necessary for this free service.  Parents/caregivers should allow 30 minutes per car seat for the inspection process.
 
Safe Kids Worldwide reports that 3 out of 4 car seats are not used correctly.  Georgia Law requires that children ride in the back seat in a car seat or booster seat until they are 8 years old and the child restraint must be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
 
The three most common mistakes when using a child safety seat are:

(1) Not understanding the weight limitation for the LATCH (lower anchor & tether) system,
               

(2) Not switching the seat belt system to lock mode for car seat installation, and
               

(3) Not facing the child rear facing long enough to maximize protection of the head, neck and spine.
 
For maximum child passenger safety, parents and caregivers need to remember:

Use rear-facing car seats in the back seat from birth to at least 2 years of age and
continue riding rear facing for as long as the child restraint allows;

Use booster seats in the back seat from about age 4 to at least age 8— unless the child is 4 ft. 9 inches or taller;

Use safety belts in the back seat at age eight or older or taller than 4 ft. 9 inches. All children age 12 or younger should ride in the back seat, and

Use the safety belt fit test as a guide to decide when to discontinue booster seat use and transition to a seat belt.
 
“A child under age 8 has a greater risk of dying in a motor vehicle crash if that child is not secured in an appropriate child safety seat,” said Pamela Fair, SAFE KIDS Columbus Director. “Our kids are just too important to ride unprotected.”