AAA to Host Free Child Safety Seat Checks

In support of National Child Passenger Safety Week, which runs from Sept. 19-Sept 25, AAA  is sponsoring free child safety seat checks at the AAA Car Care Center in Springfield on Saturday, September 25 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.  Certified child passenger safety technicians will check child safety seats for proper installation and use.

"Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 2 to 14, largely due to nonuse and misuse of car seats," says Cathleen Lewis, AAA NJ director of public affairs said in a statement. "Child safety seats that are improperly installed will not protect children as intended during a crash. The best protection a parent or guardian can offer is to make sure their little one is properly secured in a car seat—every trip, every time."

AAA also issued guidelines for determining the appropriate child restraint:

Rear Facing Seats in the back seat from birth to at least age 1 and minimum of 20 pounds.  It's safest to keep the baby in the rear-facing position as long as possible, maxing out the upper weight or height limits of the car seat.

Forward-Facing Toddler Seats in the back seat once children outgrow the upper weight or height limit of their rear-facing convertible seat. It's safest to keep your child in a five-point harness as long as possible to the upper size (height and weight) limits of the seat.

Booster Seats in the back seat from about age 4 to at least age 8 unless your child is 4'9" tall.

Seat Belts at age 8 and older or taller than 4'9".  The back seat is the safest place.  Kids should ride in the back seat until they are at least 13 years of age.