National Seat Check Saturday

  September 18 - 24 is Child Passenger Safety Week and Saturday the 24th is National Seat Check Saturday.  Children are our future. As parents and caregivers it is our responsibility to keep America's children safe. In 2009, an average of 2 children age 12 and younger were killed each day and an average of 340 a day were injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes as occupants of passenger vehicles. For children ages 1 through 12, car accidents are the leading cause of death.

Today, every state requires that children be restrained in motor vehicles. These laws were enacted because of the tremendous safety benefits they provide. Research shows car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for children younger than 1 and by 54 percent for children 1 to 4 years old. We know that car seats help save lives and reduce injuries. We also know they are most effective when installed and used correctly. Sadly, nearly three out of four car seats are not used properly. Starting now, we must work together to prevent these unnecessary deaths and injuries.

That is why David Marks Law is committed to working closely with our community to help you make the kind of choices that will keep your kids alive and safe. Our goal is to educate parents and caregivers about best practice when traveling with children from birth through age 12. During Child Passenger Safety Week hundreds of free car seat inspection stations will be set up across the country. We're encouraging parents to go get their car seats checked out.  Follow the link for a list of stations in Fairfax, Virginia where you can have your car seat inspected.  If you're outside Fairfax, check out the NHTSA website.