Car Seat Safety Month

by Herb Gordon Subaru

Safety starts with the seat. Correctly used child safety seats can reduce the risk of death by up to 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers.

September is Car Seat Safety Month, and it serves as a powerful reminder that small actions can have a life-changing impact. Taking just a few minutes to check a child’s car seat and ensure it fits properly and is securely installed can mean the difference between risk and protection in an instant. Every child deserves to be safely buckled in on every ride.

Here are some helpful tips to practice car seat safety:

Choose the Right Seat: Make sure the car seat matches your child’s age, weight, and height. Rear-facing seats are safest for infants and toddlers, while booster seats are best for older kids who have outgrown their forward-facing seats.
Install Properly: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and ensure the car seat is tightly secured using either the seat belt or the LATCH system. A properly installed seat should not move more than an inch side to side or front to back.
Check the Harness Fit: The harness should be snug against your child’s body with the chest clip positioned at armpit level. Loose straps or a low chest clip can reduce protection in a crash.

Since its inception in 2021, MileOneCares has distributed over 6,000 free car seats to families who need them. In the month of September, we will have Car Seat Distribution events in our local communities. Visit our page for more information.