Madison County is celebrating Child Passenger Safety Week from September 20-26, 2020. Vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children. Correctly using car seats and booster seats can reduce the risk of fatal injury in a crash by 71% for infants and by 54% for toddlers.
Madison County is holding a Child Car Seat Check at the Madison County Complex on N. Court Street in Wampsville on Tuesday, September 22 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. Due to COVID-19, the event will be by appointment-only to ensure the safety of staff and guests. The goal is to make sure your child is in the correct car seat and that it’s properly installed and used.
“As a parent or caregiver, we know a top priority is keeping your child safe,” said Chrystal Johnson, a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician and Public Health Educator with Madison County Health Department. “And that should always include using the right car seat, booster seat, or seat belt for your child. No parent ever wants to get it wrong when it comes to a child’s safety. That’s why we’re hosting this car seat check event on September 22. Know that your child is secure in their car seat, and are in the right seat for their age and size.”
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends keeping children rear-facing as long as possible, up to the top height and weight allowed by the seat you are using. It’s the best way to keep them safe. As of November 1, 2019, New York State law requires all children to ride rear-facing until they are 2 years old.
Once a child outgrows the rear-facing car seat, they are ready to travel in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether. After outgrowing the forward-facing car seat, a child should be placed in a booster seat until they are tall enough to fit in a seat belt properly. The safest place for all kids under 13 is in the back seat.
To make an appointment for the car seat check in Wampsville, call Madison County Health Department at 315-366-2361. Appointments are limited, so call today.
For more information on child car seat safety, including videos on how to install different types of car seats, visit NHTSA online at www.nhtsa.gov/carseat.