Stoneham Fire Department: Stoneham Fire And Police Departments Offer Safety Tips During Child Passenger Safety Week 

Press release from the Stoneham Fire Department:

jgprrobert

September 20, 2021

Fire Chief Matthew Grafton and Police Chief James McIntyre would like to offer Stoneham residents safety tips to make sure their children are properly buckled and in the correct car seat for their age and size as part of Child Passenger Safety Week. 

Sept. 19-25 is recognized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as Child Passenger Safety Week.

According to the NHTSA, vehicle crashes are among the leading causes of death for children, with an average of two children under 13 being killed and an estimated 374 injured while riding in vehicles every day in America. Of the 608 child passengers who died in traffic crashes in 2019, 38% were unrestrained, according to NHSTA. That figure was up from 33% in 2018.

All parents are encouraged to have their child’s car seat inspected by a professional. Stoneham Police Officer Laura Engel is certified to inspect car seat installations. To schedule an appointment with Engel, email: Lengel@stoneham-ma.gov.

To keep your child as safe as possible, Stoneham Police and Fire Departments  recommends the following steps:

Choose the Right Car Seat for Your Child

To use an NHTSA online tool to help you choose the right seat for your child, click here. 

Ensure Your Child is Buckled In Correctly

Choosing the correct car seat, but improperly buckling your child into it can lead to serious injury. These steps will help ensure your child is properly buckled in:

All 50 states and the District of Columbia have laws requiring children to be secured in appropriate car seats or booster seats based on their age and size.

Additionally, Massachusetts law requires that all children ride in an approved child safety seat until they are at least 8 years old or 57-inches tall. 

This press release was produced by the Stoneham Fire Department. The views expressed here are the author’s own.