TOLEDO, Ohio — Keeping children safe in a car is as simple as knowing which rules to follow.
That's why experts say it's important to stay informed.
Hannah Eberlein is an injury prevention specialist and car seat expert at ProMedica.
Two of the things to learn and remember, she said, are the different stages of a car seat and how to use them properly. Those can make a major difference in the safety of a child.
"Car seats can prevent injury or death by up to 71%," Eberlein said.
Drivers should read the car seat labels which are often found on the side or bottom of the seat. She also said you should know how to place a seat, either forward-facing or rear-facing, before starting a drive with a child passenger.
"Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. We want to make sure we read all the labels to maximize the best practice that we can for our kids," Eberlein said. "We want to rear-face as long as possible and then when it's time to change to forward-facing, a lot of different things come into play."
Drivers with child passengers can come in for a seat check with the hospital. When referring to the car seat guidelines and regulations, Eberlein said manufacturers and regulators don't make it easy, which is why the experts suggest utilizing resources and the experts for that extra level of support.
"You want to be sure to have your car seat checked by a national certified child passenger technician," Eberlein said.
Motor vehicle injuries are still one of the leading causes of death among children in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control.
This is why Child Passenger Safety Week was created in the U.S., which always falls on the third week of September. This year, it begins Sept. 16.
National Seat Check Saturday is Sept. 21. Safe Kids Greater Toledo will be hosting a car seat checkup event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Franklin Park Mall. No registration is required. For more information and other dates, visit safekids.org at this link.