It's time for a car seat safety check

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) – Safety officials want to make sure every child's car seat is properly installed.

The Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office reminds us that Child Road Safety Week is taking place through Saturday.

At this time, many local safety agencies are releasing information to help parents make sure car seats are installed properly and to make sure you are using the right car seat.

The Center for Child Safety in Green Bay says that 9 out of 10 car seats in Wisconsin are installed incorrectly.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car seats reduce the risk of fatal injuries for babies by 71% and for toddlers by 54%.

According to official figures, car seats have saved the lives of more than 11,000 children under the age of five across the country.

Here are some important safety tips from the Center for Childhood Safety:

• If the child seat wobbles more than one inch in the belt path, call (920) 272-0110 to make an appointment to visit them and they will help you
• Winter coats prevent the belt from fitting tightly. Children should not wear anything thicker than polar fleece in the seat
• It is not safe to use harness covers or baby inserts that are not supplied with the car seat
• Be sure to read the owner's manual. All important information about your car seat can be found in this booklet, so please keep it in a safe place.
• A registration card is included with each new seat. Fill it out and send it in so the manufacturer can notify you of any recalls.
• If a car seat is involved in an accident, it may have damage that you cannot see. Do not use it and buy a new one.

HERE IS THE PHONE NUMBER OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDHOOD SAFETY – THEY ARE SO HELPFUL – AND WILLING TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS…

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