FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 14, 2023

Decatur, IL – The Macon County Health Department (MCHD) is pleased to announce our participation in Child Passenger Safety Week by hosting an event on September 23rd from 9:00 a.m. to noon. This campaign is dedicated to helping parents and caregivers make sure their children ride as safely as possible — every trip, every time. Child Passenger Safety Week runs from September 17^th to 23rd. This event is one of 92 in Illinois that are sponsored by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

The latest research from NHTSA 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.

Using age- and size-appropriate car seats and installing them correctly are the best ways to reduce crash fatalities among children. According to NHTSA, more than a third of children 12 and younger who died in crashes in 2021 in cars, pickups, vans, and SUVs were unbuckled. The No. 1 rule: Never let your children ride unbuckled — not even on a short trip.

As parents and caregivers, we have a long list of things we do for our children to show our love. One of the simplest and most important things on the list should be to make sure they are in the right car seat for their age and size by getting your car seats checked.

By attending the car seat check event at the MCHD on September 23rd, parents and caregivers can be sure their kids are riding as safely as possible. The number one goal is to make sure every child leaves the event safer than they arrived. Child Passenger Safety Technicians will check the seat for a secure fit, explain the law, look up recalls and more.

Parents and caregivers can view more information on car seat safety and locate a certified technician at www.nhtsa.gov/carseat. For more information, please contact (217) 423-6988 ext: 1137.