Demonstrations on child safety seat installations to be virtual this year.
Glen Burnie, Md (KM) September 20th through September 26th is National Child Child Passenger Safety Week. . Chrissy Nizer, Maryland’s Motor Vehicle Administrator, says it’s a time to remind parents and caregivers to make sure that children ride as safely in the vehicle as possible. She says that means using proper car seats. booster seats and seatbeltx every time they’re in the vehicle.
Nizer says it’s important to make sure that the type of seat takes into account a child’s age, height and weight.. “They grow quickly and you need to make those adjustments from stating with that rear-facing infant car seat, and then converting that up as the child grows,” she says. “But making sure that they’re always properly restrained when they’re in the vehicle. So make sure that you tack on their weight and height restrictions for your particular car seat.”
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends children ride in rear-facing seats for as long as possible. When they get older, kids should be placed in forward-facing car seats with a harness and a tether.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Certified Child Passenger Safety Seat Technicians won’t be doing face-to-face meetings with parents to explain how to install a car seat, and answer any questions. Instead, these technicians will be doing virtual seat checks. “Obviously, we have to keep physical distance at this point due to safety issues related to COVID,”:: says Nizer. “But that doesn’t mean we aren’t still focused on highway safety and keeping everyone on the roadway safe, including our youngest passengers.”
She says there will be plenty of opportunities to learn about child passenger seat safety. There will be video conference platforms and a free webinar for parents to learn how to properly install child safety seats. “We definitely want to encourage everybody to check the Kids In Safety Seat website which is mdkiss.org for more information, or to participate,” says Nizer.
You can also call 1-800-370-SEAT (7328).
The Kids In Safety Seats is also holding a free webinar on Thursday, September 24th.
Other websites to check out are MVA’s Highway Safety Office at ZerodeathsMD.gov; and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @ZeroDeathsMD. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says you can visit NHTSA.gov/recall to check if your car safety seat, booster seat or vehicle has been recalled.
By Kevin McManus