Q - What is so important about child passenger safety? A - Car crashes are the leading cause of death to kids ages 1-14; they cause more deaths each year than diseases, drugs and kidnapping combined.

Q - What is the best car seat to get for my child? A - One that: Fits your child Fits your vehicle Fits your budget Will be used correctly every time your child goes for a ride

Q - What are some of the basic rules for transporting an infant? A - Babies under one years of age AND under 20 pounds need to be rear facing in an car seat designed to go rear facing (i.e. If your child is 25 pounds and 8 months old that baby needs to stay rear facing for another 4 months, or your child is 13 months old and 18 pounds that baby needs to gain 2 pounds to go forward facing) The harness straps need to be snug and should be at or below shoulder level The retainer clip needs to be placed at armpit level Do not use extra padding/blankets behind/under child or under harnesses- these things compress during a crash and effectively put slack in the harness If using an infant carrier (as opposed to a convertible car seat) when driving, the handle should be down.

Q - What are some of the basic rules for transporting my toddler? A - Children that have outgrown their infant seat (are over the age of 1 and are over 20 pounds, remember they need to be both) are now ready to ride in a forward facing car seat. For most forward facing car seat models straps must be threaded in top slots Harness straps should be at or above shoulder level Retainer clip should be at arm pit level

Q - What about riding safely after they grow out of their car seat? A - Kids should be in booster seats if they: Are too big for a car seat (weigh 40 pounds or more) Weigh 40-80 pounds, and are under age 8 years old DON'T let kids put shoulder belts under their arms or behind their backs. Kids who misuse belts this way receive no upper body protection. Children ages 4 to 8 (about 40 to 80 pounds) should be in a booster seat and restrained with lap and shoulder belts every time they ride. Adult safety belts alone do not adequately protect children this size from injury in a crash.

Q - Are there other basic rules to child passenger safety that I as a care giver should know? A -Yes! Read your car seat instruction manual and vehicle owner's manual carefully for proper installation. The car seat should be locked tightly against the vehicle seat - it should not move more than one inch forward or side to side through the belt path. Like other consumer products, car seats are occasionally recalled. Send in your car seat registration card to be sure you'll be notified. You can also call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Auto Safety Hot line, (888) 327 - 4236. Replace any car seat/booster seat/ seat belt that has been involved in a crash. Acquiring a used car seat can be dangerous. Only a seat with a known history and all parts intact and functional should be acquired.

Q - If I have any questions or would like a safety expert to check my child's safety seat is there anyone locally that can help? A -YES, SAFE KIDS New London County is here to help. Call (860) 442 - 0733 to ask a question or to get an appointment to have your seat checked.