HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (Nov. 10, 2012) - Parents of young children are encouraged to come by today, November 11 for a free car seat check-up at the ERA Realty parking lot (4039 Central Ave) in Hot Springs.
Trained professionals will be on hand from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to check that the seat currently in use is appropriate for the age and weight of the child and that the seat is installed correctly.
Child Passenger Safety information will also be available to help parents know what seat is best for their child and to answer general questions.
Motor vehicle crashes continue to be the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 14 and under. However, child safety seats and seat belts, when used correctly, reduce the risk of death by as much as 71 percent.
It is estimated that almost 30 percent of children still ride unrestrained and 90 percent of car seats continue to be used incorrectly.
Arkansas Law requires children younger than six years of age and weighing less than 60 lbs. to ride in an appropriate child safety seat at all times in the vehicle. Children should then graduate to a belt-positioning booster seat and continue to utilize it until big enough that the vehicle seat belt fits properly across the shoulder and chest (not across the neck or face). A booster seat must always be used with a seat belt system that includes both a lap and shoulder belt, never just a lap belt only.
This event is co-sponsored by Arkansas Children's Hospital, Garland County Circle of Friends and the Hot Springs Police Department.
(Source: Arkansas Children's Hospital)