A delegation of health officials hoped to spread the word about child car seat safety Tuesday, but only five vehicles stopped for a free check at the Haines Police station.
In Alaska and the United States, four of five child seats are misused, and car accidents are a major cause of childhood injuries and death, said Beth Schuerman of Alaska Injury Prevention.
Problems with child seats range from improper installation to seats with loose belts or improper harnesses, Schuerman said. “There are a lot of different variables.”
The seats also have expiration dates, after which they may no longer be safe, she said. Manufacturers recommend replacement after six years.
Infants ranging from newborns to two-year-olds should be in rear-facing seats to protect their heads and spines in the event of accidents. From age two to age four, forward-facing seats with an internal, five-point harness are recommended; for ages four to eight, a booster seat is recommended to lift a child to the proper height for use with a car’s shoulder and lap belt.
Seat recommendations also are by weight.
The most overlooked stage of seat-belt use is by adults, Schuerman said. She and co-workers were keeping tabs on seat belt use Tuesday. “Adults aren’t very compliant with seatbelts in Haines and they should be, to set an example for their kids,” she said.
Schuerman’s check station was staffed by two employees from Southeast Regional Health Consortium and by Kim Phillips, who leads the local Parents As Teachers program.
For more information, including child restraint information and a manual on proper use of seats, contact Phillips at 766-2152. Child seat information also is at http://www.carseatak.org.