DYK: Car seat use reduces the risk for injury in crashes by 71–82 percent for children compared with seat belt use alone?

According to the CDC, car crashes are a leading cause of death among children in the U.S. In 2018, 636 children 12 years old and younger died in crashes, and more than 97,000 were injured. Of the children 12 years old and younger who died in a crash in 2018 (for which restraint use was known), 33 percent were not buckled up, the CDC added.

When you hit the road, ensure your children are safe and securely buckled in the back seat. Place your children in a car seat, booster seat, or seat belt properly.

Do you need to schedule a car seat check or an answer about what’s appropriate for your children’s weight, height, and age?

Kids In Safety Seats (KISS) can help. KISS is a Maryland program whose mission is to reduce injuries and death among children by helping parents, families and other caregivers obtain and use car seats and booster seats correctly, every time a child rides in a motor vehicle. KISS also provides the following services:

Car Seat Assistance Programs

• Reduced cost purchase program (for financially eligible families)

Free In-Person Technical Assistance

• Child Passenger Safety 101 presentations
• Training for child transporters/agency staff
• Car seat checkup events

Free Virtual Education/Assistance (Video Car Seat Assistance Program and Webinars)

• Traveling Safely With Your Newborn
• Child Passenger Safety Building Blocks
• Top Mistakes and How to Fix Them
• Child Passenger Safety For Providers

Free Child Passenger Safety Information Clearinghouse for educational materials and referrals to local car seat programs.

For more information about car and booster seat safety, visit www.mdkiss.org or call 1-800-370-SEAT.