Cellet Safety Steps That Save Lives (NAPSA)}—Regardless of how long they drive or where they are driving to, all drivers need to be sure chil- dren are properly buckled into child safety seats that are appropriate for the child’s age and weight. Choosing the right child safety seat can be confusing. Every child safety seat works differently and they do not all buckle into vehicles easily. Also, as children grow, they should change from infant to convertible to booster seats before using only a seatbelt. Equally important for drivers is to make sure thechild seat is both installed and used correctly—empirical studies sited by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that eight out of ten children in safety seats are incorrectly buckled in. Every day, this leaves millions of American children to face the risk of serious injury or death becauseof child safety seats that are not properly installed. Through DaimlerChrysler’s Fit for a Kid service, participating Chrysler, Jeepe and Dodgedealers offer free child seat inspections. A certified inspector will not only inspect the child safety seat or booster seat for proper installation and fit but also will educate parents on which restraints are right for their children, and how to use them correctly. The Fit for a Kid service is open to everyone, regardless of what make or model car they drive. Working with the National Safety Council (NSC), DaimlerChrysler is the only automaker in the world to provide a permanent inspection service at its dealerships. Graco Children’s Products, makers of Century and Graco car seats, and Arthur, the number one children’s show on public television, are also partners in the program. Drivers should use the following steps as a guideline to make sure the children they transport are safe. (Remember to always read the safety seat manufacturer’s instructions for details on a particular seat and for further recommendations.) Parents and caregivers interested in having their children’s safety seats inspected can call 1-877-Fit-4-A-Kid or log on to www.fitforakid.org to find the nearestparticipating Fit for a Kid dealer. Safety experts including the NHTSA, the American Academyof Pediatrics and the NSC, recom- mend the following safety seat transitions for children: Rear-facing infant seats from birth to at least 20 pounds and at least one yearold. * Convertible, forward-facing seats for children at least a year old and from more than 20 to about 40 pounds. Belt-positioning booster seats for children from about 40 pounds until they fit in the adult seat belt correctly. Seat belts for older children who are large enough for the belt to fit them correctly. Children should be able to sit with their back against the vehicle’s seat back, the shoulder belt over the shoulder, the lap belt low on the hips and the knees bent over the vehicle seat. The Fit for a Kid inspection service, which takes 20-30 minutes per seat, is easily accessible. When parents and caregivers are ready to have their children’s safety seats inspected, they can find the nearest participating dealer by calling the toll-free number 1-877-Fit-4-AKid or by accessing the Website www.fitforakid.org, and then call the dealer directly to schedule an appointment.
