September is Child Passenger Safety Month
The statistics don't lie. Using car seats properly saves lives.
- Car seats can reduce the risk of death in infants by 70% and in toddlers by 50%
- Booster seats can reduce risk of injury by 45% for children aged 4-8 when compared to seatbelts
- About 73% of car seats are not installed correctly
For Child Passenger Safety Month, Turner ChevroletĀ would like to remind every driver of a few child passenger safety tips.
When purchasing a car seat, pay attention to suggested height and weight limits. Based on the height, weight and age of your child, you will be able to choose from three types of car seats: Baby, convertible and booster.
After following the installation instructions that come with your car seat, it's good practice to always test the car seat to ensure it is properly secured. There are two ways you can test a car seat.
1. The Inch Test
Tug at the base of the seat. If it moves more than an inch, either side to side or front to back, then the seat is not properly installed.
2. The Pinch Test
Place the chest clip at armpit level, then pinch the strap at your child's shoulder. If there is no excess webbing, then the car seat is secure.
If at any time you are having difficulty installing your car seat, there are plenty of resources to help. Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians are available to teach car seat best practices. You can check Safe KidsĀ and NHTSAĀ for additional assistance.