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Authorities in Yakima stress child seat safety

To locate a auto seat check-up event in your area, go to www.flhsmv.gov (link is located at top of home page).

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Vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13 in the United States. NHTSA officials said many of those deaths and injuries could have been prevented in the children were in the proper auto seat, booster or wearing a seat belt.

Parents who buy second-hand auto seats may be unknowingly buying a seat under recall with safety defects.

“That’s the least of our worries to be honest with you; the biggest effect is the risk to your child’s safety”, said Sergeant Chance.

If you have any questions about keeping your child safe in the vehicle, Wednesday’s the day to get those answers, as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will host a Twitter chat for Child Passenger Safety Week. “We want all parents to make sure their vehicle seats are used and installed correctly and that the whole family is buckled up every time on every ride”. You do need to call ahead to make an appointment. “Once the child is 8 years old, they are not legally required to be in a child safety seat system – but – if the child is not yet 4’9” tall they would be better protected if they continued to use the appropriate child safety seat system until they can properly fit the adult safety belt.

Vehicle seats also have expiration dates.

Which is why officers are always on the lookout, trying to keep children safe. After outgrowing the forward-facing auto seats, children should be placed in booster seats until they’re the right size to use seat belts safely.

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If you have any concerns when installing a child’s safety seat you can contact the police department at 509-575-6200.

Authorities in Yakima stress child seat safety