Child Car seats

Posted by Press Release on July 27, 2011

The
Pennsylvania State Police would like to remind parents/caregivers who are
transporting children in vehicles that Pennsylvania law requires that those
under 4 years of age be securely fastened in an approved child passenger
restraint seat. Children ages 4 to
8 must use a booster seat if they are no longer in a car seat. Also, children
from age 8 up to age 18 must be in a seat belt regardless of where they are
seated in a vehicle.

During a two-week period this past spring, troopers
who are certified car seat technicians, found almost 77 percent of the seats
they checked were improperly installed.

Common problems included: failing to securely anchor the child seat to
the vehicle’s seat, failing to use the child’s seat harness to hold the child
in the seat and facing the car seat in the wrong direction.

Parents/caregivers can schedule an appointment for a free inspection of
a child safety seat by calling any state police station. Station inspection
dates and contact information can be found by going to the safety education
link at the state police website (www.psp.state.pa.us).