National Child Passenger Safety Week
In spirit of National Child Passenger Safety Week, Traffic Sergeant Jerry Eaton is here to talk about child safety seats:
Hey there, parents and caregivers! Buckle up, because we’re about to talk about something super important: child safety seats. September 15-21 2024 is National Child Passenger Safety Week. We know you want nothing but the best for your little ones, and that includes keeping them safe and secure while on the road. Let’s dive into why using the proper child safety seat is so important.
First off, It’s the law: Most states require children under a certain age, height, or weight to be secured in a child safety seat. In Maryland, not using a child safety seat when required can result in an $83 fine, so make the safe choice and keep those kiddos buckled up!
Size matters: Adult seat belts are designed for, well, adults. When children are too small for seat belts, they can suffer serious injuries in a collision. Child safety seats are specifically designed to provide the protection and support that little bodies need.
Numbers don’t lie: Research shows that using the proper child safety seat can reduce the risk of fatal injury by a whopping 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers.
Perfect fit: Rear-facing, forward-facing, booster seats – there are so many options, and each one is designed to provide optimal safety at different stages of your child’s growth.
So, let’s all do our part to protect the precious cargo we carry in our vehicles. You can visit the Kids in Safety Seats for more information:
https://health.maryland.gov/phpa/OEHFP/KISS/Pages/Home.aspx
Until next week, slow down, pay attention, wear your seatbelt, and drive safely.