Child Passenger Safety Week Reminds Public to Buckle Up Children

Incorrect car seat installation can lead to preventable deaths.

Frederick, MD – Sunday marked the beginning of National Child Passenger Safety Week, stressing the importance of utilizing correct car seats for children and installing them properly.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 700 children ages 12 and under died in motor vehicle crashes in 2016 with another 128,000 injured. 35 percent of them weren’t buckled up.

“Proper use of car seats and booster seat do a great service in helping keep children safe from being injured or even killed in a crash,” Ron Snyder of Maryland State Police said. “Car seats can reduce the risk of a fatal injury in a crash by 71% for infants and up to 54% for toddlers.”

Maryland law currently requires children under 8 years old must sit in an appropriate child restraint unless they are 4-foot-8-inches or taller.

“It’s the driver’s responsibility to ensure all children are buckled,” Snyder said. “Violators of this law are subject to an $83 fine.”

Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will host an informational session at the Walkersville Branch Library on Wednesday to teach motorists how to avoid common mistakes when installing car seats and to ensure their car seat is right for their child. The event is from 11AM-2PM and will be held rain or shine.

By Timothy Young