This week is National Child Passenger Safety Week

To locate a vehicle seat check-up event in your area, go to www.flhsmv.gov (link is located at top of home page). It’s a good time for parents and caregivers to brush up on laws and recommendations from safety advocates about keeping your kids safe on the road. “Using age- and size-appropriate vehicle seats is the best way to keep your child safe”, she said.

“While a seat belt is your vehicle’s most important safety feature, we must remember that it is not designed for young children”.

“That’s the least of our worries to be honest with you; the biggest outcome is the risk to your child’s safety”, said Sergeant Chance.

Motorists caught misusing child seats can face a fine of up to $136, but the price of not taking the extra steps to ensure a child’s safety can be much greater than that.

If you’re wondering if your vehicle seat or booster is installed correct, Kids Safe Columbus is happy to help.

“You can use either the seat belt or the lower anchor system, but you can’t use both”, said Becker. Child Passenger Safety Week runs September 13-19 and is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Look for the date you should stop using the seat on the seat itself. It’s an effort to educate people on how to properly buckle up children in the back seat.

In Florida, during 2014, there were 32 deaths and over 700 injuries caused by crashes in which children under 18 were not secured in auto seats or wearing seat belts.

“It’s our job to keep our children safe”, Ms. DeCourcy stressed.

Sgt. Rives says the Joplin Police Department is willing to assist anyone who may need help installing a auto seat.