September 14, 2009

Governor Riley Urges Parents to Get Their Child Safety Seats Inspected

MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley is urging parents and other caregivers of young children to visit one of the 14 free child safety seat inspection stations located throughout Alabama this week as part of National Child Passenger Safety Week.

The stations will have technicians available to provide on-site child safety seat inspections and education.

“While more families than ever before are using child safety seats in their vehicles, researchers tell us that most child seats are improperly installed. Families who visit inspection stations in Alabama will be provided free help and information that could save the life of their child,” said Governor Riley.

For maximum child passenger safety, Governor Riley said parents and other caregivers should refer to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 4 Steps for Kids guidelines for determining which restraint system is best suited to protect children based on age and size:

1. For the best possible protection keep infants in the back seat, in rear-facing child safety seats, as long as possible up to the height or weight limit of the particular seat. At a minimum, keep infants rear-facing until at least age 1 and at least 20 pounds.

2. When children outgrow their rear-facing seats (at least age 1 and at least 20 pounds) they should ride in forward-facing child safety seats, in the back seat, until they reach the upper weight or height limit of the particular seat (usually around age 4 and 40 pounds).

3. Once children outgrow their forward-facing seats (usually around age 4 and 40 pounds), they should ride in booster seats, in the back seat, until the vehicle seat belts fit properly. Seat belts fit properly when the lap belt lays across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt fits across the chest (usually at age 8 or when they are 4’9” tall).

4. When children outgrow their booster seats, (usually at age 8 or when they are 4’9” tall) they can use the adult seat belts in the back seat, if they fit properly (lap belt lays across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt fits across the chest).

For more information on Child Passenger Safety Week, a national effort to remind parents and caregivers of the lifesaving effect child safety seats have in protecting young children, please visit www.nhtsa.gov/cps.

ALABAMA
Child Safety Seat Inspection Stations
*NOTE: Call inspection stations to make an appointment.