CLEARFIELD – According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 7,500 lives have been saved by the proper use of child restraints during the past 20 years.
Yet, motor vehicle crashes still remain the number one killer of children ages 4 to 14 in America. The reason? Too often it is the improper use or non-use of child safety seats and booster seats.
Clearfield Hospital plans to raise public awareness about the importance of child car seats during National Child Passenger Safety Week, Feb. 11-17.
In conjunction with the observance, Clearfield Hospital will conduct a free car seat safety check on Feb. 12, from 2-4 p.m. at Third Ward Fire Hall at the corner of Park and Martin streets (508 Martin St.).
State police troopers and the Clearfield Fire Department will assist with the event.
According to Dr. Cathy Civiello, Clearfield Hospital education director and certified child seat safety inspector, placing children in the proper car or booster seat is not only about good parenting — it’s also the law.
Parents and other adults responsible for children traveling in motor vehicles need to know that children under 8 years of age must be in an appropriate child passenger restraint.
Civiello said that as children grow, how they sit safely in a car, truck, van or SUV changes. For maximum child passenger safety, parents and caregivers simply need to remember and follow the 4 Steps for Kids:
• Use rear-facing infant seats in the back seat from birth to at least one year of age and at least 20 pounds;
• Use forward-facing toddler seats in the back seat from age one and 20 pounds to about age four and 40 pounds;
• Use booster seats in the back seat from about age four to at least age eight.
• Use safety belts in the back seat at age eight or older if taller than 4 feet, 9 inches.
All children under age 13 should ride in the back seat.
For more information about Child Passenger Safety Week and the proper use of booster seats, visit the government’s booser seat site, or contact Dr. Civiello at 768-2345.
