Jesse White Encourages Proper Car Seat Usage for Children

September 13th through 19th is Child Passenger Safety Week

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White encouraged parents and caregivers to make sure that children travel in the proper car seat or booster seat as they grow. White said as children get older, their car seat needs to be changed. September 13 through 19 marks National Child Passenger Safety Week.

“Many parents and caregivers don’t use booster seats long enough and risk injury to the child,” White said. “Let’s keep our children safe by making sure they are properly secured in the appropriate car seats. Also set a good example by using your safety belt.”

• The Illinois Child Passenger Protection Act states that children under the age of 8 years old must be secured in an appropriate child restraint system, including booster seats.
• Car seats have been shown to reduce fatal injury by 71 percent for infants and 54 percent for toddlers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
• Four out of five car seats are not used properly, according to NHTSA.
• Parents should never place the rear-facing car seats in the front passenger seat in front of an active airbag.
• Parents are encouraged to put children under 13 years old in the back seat, where they are the safest.

Car seat check events are scheduled throughout Illinois during National Child Passenger Safety Week.

“There are 2,000 technicians statewide,” White said. “I’m happy to partner with agencies like the Illinois Department of Transportation, AAA and other organizations that provide this important public service to help keep our children safe.”

The Secretary of State’s office, through its Kids In Safe Seats program, has 12 fitting stations in Illinois where parents and caregivers can set up appointments or be referred to NHTSA certified child passenger safety technicians who can educate them on the appropriate car seat and proper installation in their vehicle.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 866-247-0213 or visit www.cyberdriveillinois.com.