The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) primary goal for child passenger safety is to make sure all parents and caregivers are correctly using the right car seats (rear-facing car seats, forward-facing car seats, or booster seats) or seat belts for their children’s ages and sizes.
Why We Recognize Child Passenger Safety Week
During Child Passenger Safety Week, scheduled for September 19-25, 2021, NHTSA encourages parents and caregivers to take some time to take a second (or third!) look at your car seats and booster seats. Make sure these car seats fit your children appropriately, and that they are correctly installed in your vehicle.
How Safe Start Assists Parents and Caregivers in Nassau and Suffolk
Safe Start, which is operated by trained and certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians, is committed to advocating for child passenger safety in Nassau and Suffolk counties. We administer a family-centered safety program designed to promote child passenger safety through driver education and public awareness campaigns.
The program works with parents to promote effective and appropriate use of car seats, booster seats, and seat belts to help prevent injuries to children and occupants of all ages.
Safe Start operates permanent fitting stations in Nassau and Suffolk counties and a mobile fitting station, which all offer free safety seat inspections by certified technicians. Safe Start also provides free child passenger safety education to community groups, families, schools, and daycare centers.
Get Your Family on Board with Safety
Car seats are extremely effective, especially when used correctly. They can reduce the risk of fatal injury in a crash by 71 percent for infants and by 54 percent for toddlers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
All 50 states and the District of Columbia have laws that require children to be secured in the appropriate car seats or booster seats for their ages and sizes while traveling in motor vehicles. In New York, all children must be restrained in an appropriate child restraint system while riding in a car up until their eighth birthday. Children under two years of age must ride in a rear-facing car seat.
Car Seat Tips for Parents and Caregivers
- Choose an appropriately sized safety seat that meets your child’s size and weight as recommended by the manufacturer
- Read the child safety seat directions carefully
- Never place a rear-facing safety seat in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger airbag
Remember, the safety belt in your vehicle is not designed for children. A car seat can provide much better protection.
Support Safe Start’s Mission of Protecting Our Community’s Children
Safe Start and more than 100 other EAC Network programs and services work in our communities every day to improve the quality of life of over 40,000 at-risk individuals. Please support our mission to create brighter futures for vulnerable children, youth, families, and seniors throughout Greater New York. Make a donation today!
