SEAT CHECK SATURDAY
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) promotes Seat Check Saturday in September each year. With one child under the age of 13 injured in an automobile accident every 33 seconds, the NHTSA hopes everyone will spread the news.
#SeatCheckSaturday
The proper use of child safety seats is the leading preventative measure parents and childcare providers can implement to avoid injury and death in young children. One 2016 safety fact to note is 328 children under 5 years of age were saved by car seats.
Car Seat Stages
As children grow, the model of car seat changes to keep up with their age and their size.
From birth to about age 3, use a rear-facing car seat.
After outgrowing the rear-facing car seat, use a forward-facing car seat until about age 5.
Once children outgrow their forward-facing seat, they should be buckled in a belt-positioning booster seat until seat belts fit properly.
Once seat belts fit properly without a booster seat, use a seat belt on every trip.
Seat belts fit properly when the lap belt lays across the upper thighs (not the stomach) and the shoulder belt lays across the chest (not the neck).
HOW TO OBSERVE SEAT CHECK SATURDAY
Take a little time to learn the laws of your state's DOT website about age, height and weight restrictions for children in safety or booster seats. Be sure to look over the information on NHTSA.gov/TheRightSeatfor additional help choosing and installing these safety seats.
Use #SeatCheckSaturday on social media to spread the news about this National Day to your family and friends with little ones.
SEAT CHECK SATURDAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar continues to research when Car Seat Saturday began. However, over the years, the observance has grown. Many state and local agencies participate annually to maintain safety and awareness.
Car Seat Safety Essentials
Andjela Antic has provided National Day Calendar with an excellent article covering Car Seat Safety Essentials we want to share. Be sure to take a couple of minutes to read her information: Ensuring Your Child’s Protection on the Road.
Andjela provides insights, videos, and expert perspectives from a health care professional's view on child car seat safety.