Posted Tuesday, September 8, 2009 --- 10:45 a.m.

Press Release:

-- Booster and car seat safety check Saturday, Sept. 12 at Ballweg Chevrolet/Pontiac/Buick, Sauk City

Four out of five child safety seats are improperly installed in vehicles according to research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

That’s why the Sauk Prairie Safe Community Coalition (SPSCC) urges all parents and caregivers to attend a free booster and car seat safety check from 10am to 1:00pm on Saturday, 9-12-2009 at Ballweg Chevrolet/Pontiac/Buick, Sauk City, who will host food, fun and prizes. As part of National Child Passenger Safety Week (Sept. 12-19), certified technicians will be available to provide free on-site child safety seat inspections.

“Nationally, 98 percent of America’s infants and 96 percent of children ages 1 to 3 are regularly restrained, however, not enough children of all ages are properly restrained,” said Lisa Wenzel “Some car seats need just a few minor modifications, such as tightening the seat in the vehicle or making the seat’s straps fit snugly on the child. Other seats are too old or have been recalled and require replacement.”

NHTSA research also shows 8,325 lives of children age 5 and younger have been saved by the proper use of child restraints during the past 30 years. In 2006, among children younger than 5 years old, an estimated 425 lives were saved by child restraint use. Child restraints provide the best protection for all children up to age 8; after age 8 seat belts provide the best protection.

For maximum child passenger safety, Lisa Wenzel said parents and caregivers should refer to the following 4 Steps for Kids guidelines for determining which restraint system is best suited to protect children based on age and size:

1. For the best possible protection keep infants in the back seat, in rear-facing child safety seats, as long as possible up to the height or weight limit of the particular seat. At a minimum, keep infants rear-facing until at least age 1 and at least 20 pounds.

2. When children outgrow their rear-facing seats (at least age 1 and at least 20 pounds) they should ride in forward-facing child safety seats, in the back seat, until they reach the upper weight or height limit of the particular seat (age 4 and 40 pounds).

3. Once children outgrow their forward-facing seats, they should ride in booster seats, in the back seat, until the vehicle seat belts fit properly. Seat belts fit properly when the lap belt lays across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt fits across the chest (at age 8 or when they are 4’9” tall).

4. When children outgrow their booster seats, (at age 8 or when they are 4’9” tall) they can use the adult seat belts in the back seat, if they fit properly (lap belt lays across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt fits across the chest).

A member of Safe Kids Worldwide, SPSCC works to prevent accidental injuries, the leading cause of death among children 14 years of age and younger. The coalition combines the expertise of Safe Kids coalitions and chapters statewide to prevent childhood injuries through collaboration, education, policy and advocacy initiatives. For more information, call Lisa Wenzel at 608.963.2716.