Safe Kids Fulton is on a mission to help improve child passenger safety. The organization, along with South Fulton officials, will offer complimentary car seat inspections on Aug. 27 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Publix at Sandtown Crossing, 5829 Campbellton Road.
Families with car seats that are deemed insufficient will be offered a free replacement. Children must be present.
Car crashes are the leading safety issue for children. However, statistics show that parents and caregivers often unknowingly endanger their children by putting them in the wrong seat or not securing them properly.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 50 percent of car seats inspected by safety technicians are improperly installed and used. More than 70 percent of forward facing car seats alone are incorrectly installed. And a whopping 90 percent of children using adult lap-and-shoulder safety belts under the age of 10 should still be in a car or booster seat.
Car seat inspections are one of the most important steps that parents and caregivers can take to prevent injuries and death in the event of a crash. Additionally, it’s important to remember:
- A vehicle should never be moved before everyone is safely seated.
- Children shouldn’t sit in the front seat until they are at least 13 years old.
- Rear-facing car seats should never be placed in the front seat near active airbags.
- Children should never be moved out of their height and weight appropriate seat before they’re ready based on manufacturer recommendations and local laws.
- Seat belts are not designed to fit children under 4’9″ tall.
Child Passenger Safety Week is observed every fall in Georgia. Additional car seat safety checks will be available throughout the state Sept. 18-24. Information on future events is available from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.
Photo: Safe Kids Georgia, South Fulton Fire and Rescue Department. Fulton County Board of Health and East Point Police Department partnered to educate the community on the importance of properly checking and installing child safety seats at Publix on Aug. 9. The next event will take place Aug. 27. (Credit: Mike Smith, City of South Fulton)
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