September Saturdays for Colorado Parents - Car Seat Safety

September Saturdays to Provide Colorado Parents with Peace of Mind about Properly Using Car Seats from CDOT

September 20, 2012 - Traffic Safety - Events will feature certified technicians, as part of the National Child Passenger Safety Week.

Denver – Over the next two Saturdays, parents and caregivers will have an opportunity to learn how to choose the right car seat for their child and make sure it is properly installed. The events are part of National Child Passenger Safety Week, and are supported by CPS Team Colorado, the Colorado State Patrol (CSP), the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 12 years old in the United States. Crash data from CDOT for the period 2006-2010 shows that 64 child passengers, ages 0-12 died in traffic crashes in Colorado. Over half (55%) were not using a child safety seat or seat belt, or they were using one improperly.

“You can never predict or control what other drivers might do or how the weather might change the safety of a roadway,” said Corporal Heather Cobler, Colorado State Patrol. “The best way to protect your kids is to put them in the right car seats for their age and size and use those seats correctly every trip, every time. By attending your local area’s car seat event, parents and caregivers can be sure their kids are riding as safely as possible.”

Corporal Cobler also urged parents to follow NHTSA’s car seat recommendations that parents and caregivers keep children in their child restraint for as long as possible according to manufacturer instructions before moving them to the next type. For maximum safety, a parent or caregiver should have the car seat installation inspected by a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician to ensure their children are in the right seats for their age and size. Children 12 and under should always ride in the back seat.

Rear-Facing Seat
For the best possible protection, your child under age 1 should always ride in a rear-facing car seat. There are different types of rear-facing car seats: infant-only seats can only be used rear-facing. Convertible and 3-in-1 car seats typically have higher height and weight limits for the rear-facing position, allowing you to keep your child rear-facing for a longer period of time.

Forward-Facing Seat
Your child should remain in a rear-facing car seat until the child reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat’s manufacturer. This may result in many children riding rear-facing to age 2 or older. Once your child outgrows the rear-facing car seat, your child is ready to travel in a forward-facing car seat with a harness.

Booster Seat
Keep your child in a forward-facing car seat with a harness until the child reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat’s manufacturer. Once your child outgrows the forward-facing car seat with a harness, it’s time to travel in a booster seat, but still in the back seat.

Adult Seat Belt
Keep your child in a booster seat until the child is big enough to fit in a seat belt properly. For a seat belt to fit properly the lap belt must lie snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach. The shoulder belt should lie snug across the shoulder and chest and not cross the neck or face.

Remember:
Select a car seat based on your child’s age and size, choose a seat that fits in your vehicle, and use it on every trip, every time.
Always refer to your specific car seat manufacturer’s instructions; read the vehicle owner’s manual on how to install the car seat using the seat belt or LATCH system; and check height and weight limits.
To maximize safety, keep your child in the car seat for as long as possible, as long as the child fits within the manufacturer’s height and weight requirements.
Keep your child in the back seat at least through age 12.

For more information on Child Passenger Safety Week or to find your local car seat event, visit [url=http://www.carseatscolorado.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;]http://www.carseatscolorado.com[/url] or call the Colorado State Patrol, 303-239-4500.

Car Seat Check Events:

ADAMS COUNTY
Saturday 9/22- September Booster Seat Blitz at Salud Family Health Center 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm; 64th and Quebec in Adams County; car seat installation demonstration, but no inspections available. Spanish language technicians available.

AURORA
Saturday 9/22- Len Lyall Chevrolet 11:00 am - 1:00 pm; 14500 East Colfax Ave., Aurora, CO 80011; car seat installation and inspections available.

DENVER
Saturday 9/29- Toyota Ride and Drive event at Denver Zoo 9:00 am - 1:00 pm; information present, but no inspections available.

ENGLEWOOD
Saturday 9/22- Englewood Fire Station 8:00 am - 12:00 pm; 3075 S. Tejon, Englewood, Colorado 80110; car seat installation and inspections available.

EVERGREEN
Saturday 9/22- Evergreen Fire Department 10:00 am – 2:00 pm; across the street in the Diamond Building parking lot. Car seat installation and inspections available.

FORT COLLINS
Saturday 9/29- 9News Health Fair 6:30 am - 1:00 pm, 4601 S. Mason Street, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525

MONTE VISTA
Saturday 9/29- Monte Vista Police Department 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, 720 1st Avenue Monte Vista, Colorado 81144

WEST METRO FIRE MUSTER
Saturday, 9/29 – West Metro Fire Rescue Training Center & Fire Station #10, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, 3535 S. Kipling Street, Lakewood, CO 80235 (near Hampden and Kipling)