Make sure your Kids are Ready for “Back-to-School”
The Colorado Department of Transportation, Colorado State Patrol and other members of CPS Team Colorado are holding special events throughout the month of August to help parents and caregivers make sure their children are in the right car seat or booster seat to keep them safe in a motor vehicle. Trained child passenger safety technicians are available at these events to do seat checks to make sure car seats are properly installed.
According to a study from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3 out of 4 kids are not as secure as they should be because their car seats are not being used correctly.
“Parents have a tendency to move their child to the next type of car seat, booster seat or even an adult seat belt earlier than is recommended,” said Corporal Heather Cobler, Colorado State Patrol. “But each change may be a step down in safety, depending on the age and size of the child. It is important to read the manufacturer label on the side of the seat and use it to the maximum allowable weight and height for that seat.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 12 years old in the United States. CDOT’s crash data from 2006-2010 shows that 64 child passengers, ages 0-12 died in traffic crashes. Over half (55%) were not using a child safety seat or seat belt, or they were using one improperly.
The following are recommendations from NHTSA and the American Academy of Pediatrics:
Rear-Facing Seat
For the best possible protection, children under age 2 should stay in a rear-facing seat as long as possible. There are different types of rear-facing car seats: infant-only seats can only be used rear-facing. Convertible and 3-in-1 car 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.
Forward-Facing Seat
Your child should remain in a rear-facing car seat until the child reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat’s manufacturer. This may result in many children riding rear-facing to age 2 or older. Once your child outgrows the rear-facing car seat, your child can begin traveling in a forward-facing car seat with a harness.
Booster Seat
Keep your child in a forward-facing car seat with a harness until the child reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat’s manufacturer. Once your child outgrows the forward-facing car seat with a harness, it’s time to travel in a booster seat, but still in the back seat.
Adult Seat Belt
Keep your child in a booster seat until the child is big enough to fit in a seat belt properly. For a seat belt to fit properly the lap belt must lie snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach. The shoulder belt should lie snug across the shoulder and chest and not cross the neck or face.
Remember:
- Select a car seat based on your child’s age and size, choose a seat that fits in your vehicle, and use it on every trip, every time.
- Always refer to your specific car seat manufacturer’s instructions; read the vehicle owner’s manual on how to install the car seat using the seat belt or LATCH system; and check height and weight limits.
- To maximize safety, keep your child in the car seat for as long as possible, as long as the child fits within the manufacturer’s height and weight requirements.
- Keep your child in the back seat at least through age 12.
For maximum safety, a parent or caregiver should have the car seat installation inspected by a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician to ensure their children are in the right seats for their age and size.
August Car Seat Check Events:
August 2nd
Chaffee County Public Health
Chaffee County Fairgrounds
1pm-5pm
August 4th
Annual Teddy Bear Clinic
Pueblo Mall – Dillard’s Parking Lot
9am-1pm
Steamboat Springs Safety Fair
Yampa Valley Medical Center
8am – 4pm
San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center
South Parking Lot
10am – 2pm
Children’s Hospital Colorado
13123 East 16th Ave, Aurora, CO
By Appointment Only – 720-777-4808
August 5th
Aurora Police Department
Cornerstar Power Center (E. Arapahoe Road & S. Parker Road)
8am-2pm
Walsenburg Check Event
First Choice Market (on Walsen St.)
2pm-5pm
August 8th
Children’s Hospital Colorado
13123 East 16th Ave, Aurora, CO
By Appointment Only – 720-777-4808
August 9th
Foster Care Program
Catholic Charities (Closed event)
6pm-8pm
August 11th
Children’s Hospital Colorado
13123 East 16th Ave, Aurora, CO
By Appointment Only – 720-777-4808
August 11 & 12
Gilpin County Fair
Gilpin County Fairgrounds
8am-5pm
August 15th
Aurora Police Department
Southlands Mall
1pm-6pm
Children’s Hospital Colorado
13123 East 16th Ave, Aurora, CO
By Appointment Only – 720-777-4808
Walmart Check Event
Frisco, CO
11am-1pm
August 17th
Salud Family Health Clinic
North Fort Collins
12pm-4pm
Georgetown Community School – Info Only
Clear Creek County
Time: 5pm-7pm
Walmart
Avon, Co
10am-1pm
August 18th
Douglas County Check Event
Douglas County Fair Grounds and Events Center
8am-2pm
Children’s Hospital Colorado
13123 East 16th Ave, Aurora, CO
By Appointment Only – 720-777-4808
August 22nd
Children’s Hospital Colorado
13123 East 16th Ave, Aurora, CO
By Appointment Only – 720-777-4808
August 25th
Aurora PD Check Event
Walmart – 1400 E Exposition Ave. Aurora, CO
8am-2pm
Frederick-Firestone Check Event
Carbon Valley Senior Center
6615 Frederick Way, Frederick CO
10am-2pm
Children’s Hospital Colorado
13123 East 16th Ave, Aurora, CO
By Appointment Only – 720-777-4808
August 26th
Englewood Check Event
Englewood Fire Department
3075 S Tejon St. Englewood, CO
8am-12pm
August 29th
Children’s Hospital Colorado
13123 East 16th Ave, Aurora, CO
By Appointment Only – 720-777-4808
For those unable to attend the events, parents can find a fit station closest to them by visiting www.carseatscolorado.com or calling 303-239-4500.
