Governor Kathy Hochul and the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee announced that free child car seat checks by certified child passenger safety technicians will be available across the state during Child Passenger Safety Week.
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It starts today and concludes with National Seat Check Saturday on September 24, 2022. The events are part of a yearlong safety initiative in which state and local law enforcement agencies, together with various community safety partners, offer free fittings.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2020, 755 children were killed in traffic crashes, and 42 percent of those children were unrestrained. That same year, an estimated 380 were injured every day in traffic cashes while riding in cars, SUVs, pickups, and vans.
According to NHTSA, when used correctly, car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for infants (younger than one year old) and by 54 percent for toddlers (one to four years old) in passenger cars. While most parents believe they have properly installed their child's car seat, the seats were installed incorrectly in 46 percent of cases.
Trained technicians will use the model of "Learn, Practice, and Explain" to educate caregivers on how to select a child restraint that will fit their child, fit their vehicle and be used correctly every time.
Parents and caregivers can find free Child Passenger Safety Week car seat check events in their region or make an appointment at a year-round regional car seat fitting site.
In addition to car seat fittings, parents and caregivers can view a series of videos produced by NHSTA on proper installation of rear-facing and forward-facing car seats and booster seats. NHTSA also offers information on registering a car seat, finding the right car seat based on a child's age and size and see ratings on all car seats. ■
Under an intense surge of arctic air, Friday morning will begin with the coldest temperatures so far this season across much of the central and eastern U.S. with blustery conditions and a piercing wind chill.