FRANKFORT, Ky. — Each year, National Child Passenger Safety Week aims to increase awareness for parents and caregivers about the importance of correctly buckling kids in the right seats for their age and size. It complements Gov. Andy Beshear’s Better Kentucky Plan, in which the safety of everyone on Kentucky streets and roads is a top priority.
“As a dad, I know how hard parents work to help keep children safe, especially on our roadways,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “While this week reminds us to take the proper precautions to keep our kids safe if faced with the unimaginable, our goal is to instill this knowledge and raise awareness year-round.”
Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children, and the latest research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that 46% of car seats are misused. Common issues are children being in the wrong type of car seat for their age and size, and car seats being installed improperly — both of which leave children vulnerable to injury in a crash.
“Many parents may be surprised to find out their kids aren’t as safe as possible in their vehicles,” said Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray. “We want to provide caregivers with the proper resources in order to feel confident in their actions and decisions when it comes to car seats and booster seats.”
Talk to an Expert
There are certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians who help educate parents and caregivers about the right seats for their kids and help them learn how to install the seats correctly. To find a technician in Kentucky, visit NHTSA’s car seat inspection location link, call Norton Healthcare at 502-629-7337 or email ncpw@nortonhealthcare.org with your city and/or county.
Go to a Free Checkup Event
Free checkup events occur at various locations throughout the year. There are seven events occurring this week in Kentucky:
Monday, Sept. 18
Wal-Mart in Hazard
120 Daniel Boone Plaza
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. EDT
Monday, Sept. 18
Benton Fire Department
516 W 14th St.
9 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. CDT
By appointment only: Call the Marshall County Health Department at 270-252-2725
Tuesday, Sept. 19
Walmart in Pikeville
254 Cassady Blvd.
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. EDT
Wednesday, Sept. 20
Southwest Regional Library in Louisville
9725 Dixie Highway
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. EDT
Wednesday, Sept. 20
Manchester Fire Department
207 Church St.
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. EDT
Friday, Sept. 22
Prestonsburg Fire Department
200 N. Lake Drive
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. EDT
Saturday, Sept. 23
Fayette County Safe Kids
2333 Alumni Park Plaza
9 a.m. – 11 a.m. EDT
Find Out More
NHTSA encourages everyone who drives child passengers to check out its free, online resources at www.nhtsa.gov/TheRightSeat.
- Car Seat Types: Determine whether your child fits best in a rear-facing car seat, forward-facing car seat, booster seat, or seat belt.
- Car Seat Recommendations: Review NHTSA’s recommendations for the best car seat for your child’s age and size.
- Find and Compare: Find and compare car seats with NHTSA’s handy car seat finder, which also searches specific brands.
- Download NHTSA’s SaferCar app and save your vehicle and car seat info in your “virtual garage.” If any of your saved equipment is included in a safety recall, the app will send you a notification.