How to Keep Your Child Safe While Driving

Car crashes are a leading cause of death in children. Many deaths can be prevented. Did you know that three out of four car seats are being used incorrectly?

Every 33 seconds, a child younger than 13 is involved in a crash, officials say. Most times deaths and injuries can be prevented with the proper use of car seats, boosters and seat belts.

According to Safer Car, many aren’t choosing the correct car seats for their children, or are moving their kid to the next size seat too soon.

To keep your child safe:

• Choose the right seat for your car and for your child’s age and size
• Ensure the correct car seat is correctly installed. Every car and car seat have different instructions.
• Register your car seat to receive recall information.
• Sign up for email alerts about your car seats and booster seats to get recall notifications right away.
• As kids grow, their car seat changes. Keep checking their size and only move them to the next sized car seat after they have outgrown manufactures size limits.
• Children under the age of 1 should always ride rear facing. Keep children rear facing as long as they fit, which might be until age 2 or 3.
• After moving to a booster seat, keep children in one as long as they fit. In some cases it may last until age 12.
• Keep children in the backseat in until 13.

To generate awareness for child car safety many local police departments will participate in National Child Passenger Safety Week, which runs from Sept 17-23.

The New Paltz Police Department will be conducting a child passenger safety check on Sunday, September 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Shoprite at 258 Main Street in New Paltz.

Safety seat technicians from the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office and SUNY Ulster will be assisting with the safety seat check.

Parents with questions or concerns regarding the proper installation or fitment of their child’s car seat are encouraged to stop in for a free inspection. No appointment is necessary.

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