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Is Your Child Safe? 60% of Car Seats Are Installed Incorrectly
Traffic safety partners celebrate CPS Week with free car seat inspections
![60% OF CAR SEATS ARE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY Follow these tips for safer travel with children: FIND THE RIGHT FIT: TIPS FOR CAR SEAT SAFETY Once installed, the seat should not move at the belt path more than 1 inch from side to side or back to front Use the car seat until your child reaches the top height or weight allowed by the manufacturer Choose a car seat that fits your child and your vehicle When buckling your child, keep the chest clip at armpit level; the harness straps should be tight enough that you cannot pinch the webbing together vertically Find a car seat inspection station near you at clickit.utah.gov Install the seat rear-facing as long as possible, often until after age 2 and 30 pounds](https://dpsnews.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2019/09/10292_CPS_TipsAds_QuarterPageDigital_8.5x11_FIN_English-791x1024.jpg)
WHAT: Media are invited to the Salt Lake County Health Department’s car seat class to learn more about Child Passenger Safety (CPS) week and the importance of car seat checks.
For children under the age of 13 in the United States, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death and every 33 seconds a child is involved in a crash. To help keep children safe, law enforcement, firefighters and health officials are encouraging parents to visit a free car seat checkpoint. During CPS Week, Sept. 15-21, traffic safety partners throughout Utah will be hosting free classes and car seat checkpoints statewide. This effort is intended to help parents and caregivers make sure their children ride as safely as possible—every trip, every time.
The Salt Lake County Health Department’s car seat class is available in both English and Spanish. Participants receive classroom instruction followed by hands-on experience installing car seat/s and securing their child/ren correctly. This class is free and available on the first Friday of each month. As part of the class, participants have the opportunity to purchase car seats at a discounted cost.
WHEN: Friday, September 6 at 10 a.m.
WHERE: South Redwood Public Health Center, 7971 S. 1825 W. West Jordan
WHO:
- Keri Gibson, Utah Department of Public Safety’s Occupant Protection Program Manager
- Kerilee Burton, Utah Department of Public Safety’s Child Passenger Safety Program Manager
- Representative from the Salt Lake County Health Department
VISUALS:
- Technicians helping guardians correctly install car seats and correctly secure children
Media Contact:
Sgt. Nick Street, Utah Highway Patrol
801-554-5659
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