Keep infants safe with proper car seats

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Bradley William Gray
  • 81st Training Wing ground safety
Here at the 81st Training Wing Safety Office, we know it's not an easy task to find the right car seat. After all, there are several types of seats--from infant to convertible and booster--depending on your child's age and size. Even after you find the right one, it's important to know how to install your car seat correctly and when to transition your child to another type of seat as your child grows older. To help you through the decision-making process, follow these steps.

Step 1 - Find the right car seat based on:

·Car seat types.

·Age and size recommendations (from birth to age 13).

·Car seat ease-of-use ratings.

Step 2 - Know how to correctly install your car seat:

·Install car seats in accordance with manufacture instructions. Some new vehicles come with guidance for proper car seat installation.

· Failure to read and carefully follow the installation instructions included with a car seat as well as those in the vehicle owner's manual can lead to incorrect installation, exposing a child passenger to grave risk of serious injury or death in a crash.

·For installation assistance, contact Coastal Family Health Center, 228-234-5557.

Step 3 - Register your car seat:

· New car seats come with a registration packet that can be filled out and mailed in, or you can register your car seat directly at the manufactures website. All information required is located on the car seat.

Car seats save lives and work best when used correctly

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2012, among children under the age of 5 in cars, an estimated 284 lives were saved by child restraints. Car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for infants and by 54 percent for toddlers in cars. We hope this bit of information is useful and wish you all happy and safe driving.