Child Passenger Safety Week awareness: Buckle up a child every ride, every time

Did you know Virginia State troopers issued a total of 5,888 summonses to drivers who failed to properly secure an infant and/or child riding with them in 2013?

So far in 2014, preliminary numbers indicate troopers cited 992 drivers for child safety violations during the major summer holiday enforcement weekends of Memorial Day, July Fourth and the Labor Day weekends. While across the nation, only 46 percent of children between the ages of 4-7 were properly restrained in booster seats in 2013.

National Child Passenger Safety Week is Sept. 14-20, with a goal of educating parents and caregivers of the importance of choosing the right car seat for a child (rear-facing car seat, forward-facing car seat, booster seat or seat belt), the importance of registering car seats with a manufacturer, and what to expect if a safety recall has been issued for a child’s car seat.

The week will conclude with National Seat Check Saturday on Sept. 20. On this day, certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will hold car seat events across the country. For a list of child safety seat check stations or event in Virginia, visit the Virginia Department of Health http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/ofhs/prevention/cps/permanent.htm.

“It’s discouraging to see the number of children not properly restrained when we know from statistics that car seats and seatbelts, when used correctly, can save lives,” says Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “Protecting our kids is one of our most important investments. During Child Passenger Safety Week, we encourage everyone of the necessity to keep all passengers, including our youngest riders, safe. If you are uncertain of the seat your child, grandchild, or any youngster you may be transporting isn’t installed properly, then get it checked by a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. As we end 2014, let’s remember to drive to save the lives of our most vulnerable – the children who depend on us to keep them safe.”

Virginia law requires a child must be in an approved, child safety seat until their 8th birthday and is a primary enforcement law. Children age 8 until the age 18 must be belted correctly in a vehicle safety belt. For more information about Virginia’s Child Safety Seat Law visit: http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/ofhs/prevention/cps/laws.htm

Helpful tips to remember before you go to a safety seat event or station:
·      Depending on the car seat and the vehicle, the car seat safety check and installation can take 20-30 minutes.
·      Remember to bring your safety seat instructions and vehicle owner’s manual with you.
·      Install your seat prior to your appointment in order to be familiar with your seat and basic installation.