Did you know that every 33 seconds a child under 13 is involved in a car crash in the United States? Car seats, if used correctly, can dramatically reduce the risk of fatality or injury. But over half of car seats are misused in a way that could reduce their effectiveness and 1 in 3 children killed in car crashes are completely unrestrained at the time of the crash.*
I’m reaching out to you on behalf of the Ad Council and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to ask for your support of the Child Passenger Safety public service advertising campaign. The primary goals are to educate parents and caregivers about the importance of selecting the right seat for their child’s age and size, and to remind them that car seats, booster seats and seat belts offer the best protection for children in crashes and help save lives.
This summer, the Ad Council and NHTSA have unveiled new PSAs featuring characters from Warner Bros.’ upcoming animated adventure Storks. By using the tagline, “Find the Right Seat For Your Flock,” the PSAs urge parents and caregivers to protect their child’s future, by making sure they secure them in the right car seat for their age and size. The English language PSAs direct toSaferCar.gov/TheRightSeat and the Spanish ads direct toSaferCar.gov/Protegidos where parents and caregivers can find more information on how to determine if their child is in the right car seat.
Car Seat Safety Tips:
- Find a car seat that fits your child. As children grow, how they fit in their car seat will change. Make sure the car seat you purchase is designed to fit your child’s current size and age.
- Not all car seats fit in all vehicles so test the car seat you plan to buy to make sure it fits correctly in your vehicle.
- Before installing your car seat in your vehicle and putting your child in the car seat, read the manufacturer’s instructions so you know how your car seat works.
- All-in-One car seats offer you the advantage of using the same seat for the following positions: rear-facing, forward-facing with harness, then booster. These seats typically have higher height and weight limits for the rear-facing position, allowing you to keep your child rear-facing for a longer period of time.
- Remember, the best car seat is the one that fits your child properly, is easy to use, and fits in your vehicle correctly. The information here can help you choose the right seat for your child. Keep in mind that:
- Children under age 1 should always ride in a rear-facing car seat.
- Children ages 1-3 should be kept rear-facing until they reach the car seat’s top height or weight limit.
- Keep your child in the back seat until at least age 13.
- Be certain you've installed your car seat correctly by having it checked at a car seat inspection station or by a certified child passenger safety technician. Bring the car seat instructions AND the vehicle owner’s manual with you to a car seat inspection appointment!
*According to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
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