Child Passenger Safety Week 2024

Child Passenger Safety Week 2024

September 19, 2024 in News

Car crashes are the leading cause of death for children. Regional Medical Center’s (RMC) Parents as Teachers (PAT) program is helping to shine a light on Child Passenger Safety Week. This is a nationally recognized week held in the third week of September.

Properly securing children in car seats is such an important step in keeping children safe when riding in motorized vehicles. Keep in mind these safety tips:

• Children should ride in the back seat through at least age 12.
• Set a good example. Always be consistent and wear your seat belt. Using your seat belt will strongly influence whether your child will buckle up.
• The life of a car seat typically ranges from 6-10 years. Be sure to identify the expiration date set by the manufacturer on the seat being used (typically found on the bottom of the seat).
• Recalls for child seat manufacturers for the past 10 years can be found on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website (nhtsa.gov/recalls#car-seats). 
• Air bags can save lives of older children and adults, but they can also be fatal to young children when not seated correctly (especially in the front seat). Never place a rear-facing seat in a front seat near an air bag. 
• Always read instructions provided by the vehicle and car seat manufacturers for properly securing children in all seating positions. 

The RMC PAT team is trained and certified in car seat safety. They offer FREE car seat checks for anyone in the community. If interested, schedule an appointment by calling 563-927-7685 or email them at PATParentsasTeachers@regmedctr.org.