AAA North Jersey Asks Parents To Secure Their Child's Safety Seat

WAYNE, N.J., April 25, 2017 -- Whether taking a child on a short trip to the grocery store or a long weekend getaway, AAA North Jersey encourages drivers to check their child booster and safety seats to ensure they are installed correctly.

New Jersey law requires kids that are traveling in a vehicle and are under eight-years-old and a height of 57 inches to be in a child safety seat, and evidence compiled by AAA (http://safeseats4kids.aaa.com/car-seat-guide/) indicates that many parents improperly install their child's car seat, even when following the manufacturer's instructions.

"Studies from AAA have shown that nearly three out of four car seats are installed incorrectly," said Chuck Shotmeyer, Chairman of AAA North Jersey's Board of Directors. "Taking the time to properly install child safety seats can save a life and drastically reduce injury."

"The national AAA's Safety Seats 4 Kids initiative found that car seats reduce the risk of injury by 78% to 82% and reduce the risk of death by 28%," stated David Hughes, President of AAA North Jersey. "These statistics underscore the need for parents to understand how car safety seats work and the best way to utilize these important safety devices in their vehicles."

Hughes and Shotmeyer offered these safety tips for using child safety seats effectively:

Do your homework: It is important for parents to purchase a car seat for the right age group. Make sure the child safety seat fits the size of the child and meets national transportation standards.
Install the seat correctly: Read and understand the car seat instruction manual carefully. Additionally, parents should check the integrity of the seat and clear loose objects that might hinder or harm the child.
Understand your vehicle's design: Parents should understand their vehicle's safety features. Knowing how to enable child locks and the location of airbags in the vehicle will helps drivers place the child seat in the safest spot.

AAA North Jersey, which serves motorists in Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic Counties, asks drivers to consider having a AAA expert check the seat installation. To find a AAA certified technician, call (866) SEAT-CHECK.

For more information on child car seat safety, please visit http://safeseats4kids.aaa.com/car-seat-guide/.

SOURCE AAA North Jersey

CONTACT: Stephen Rajczyk, (973) 956-2212, srajczyk@aaanonj.com