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How safe is your child in your car? This week, law enforcement agencies throughout the country will be manning checkpoints and keeping a general eye out for childrens automobile safety.
Experts recommend rear-facing baby and infant seats for young passengers, at least until the age of one and preferably until two. Child seats in the rear of the vehicle are mandated for all children to the age of eight. Children should weigh at least 20 pounds before they are seated in forward-facing seats.
"The best safety seat for your child is one that fits your child, your vehicle, and will be used correctly every time your child rides in the car, said Major Michael Kopy, commander of New York State Police Troop K. Rear-facing child safety seats provide infants protection at a stage when they are most vulnerable to injury. When a baby rides rear-facing, their head, neck and torso are cradled by the back of the safety seat reducing the risk of injury in the crash.
If you need help installing a child safety seat, you can make an appointment with a certified child passenger safety (CPS) technician. For a list of certified CPS technicians, child safety seat fitting stations and child safety seat check-up events in your area, visit the SafeNY website.
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