AAA: Parents Need to Keep Children Seated, Safe & Secure

In a press release, the AAA New Jersey Automobile Club provided motorists driving with children of precautions they need to take to ensure safety. 

In addition to giving general tips, AAA also reminds its members that it will hold two child seat safety checks at their location on Rte. 22 in Springfield this August. 

The full release is below.

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The AAA New Jersey Automobile Club reminds parents, grandparents and caregivers to keep children seated, safe and secure when riding in motor vehicles.

“Car crashes are one of the leading causes of death for children, largely due to nonuse and misuse of car seats,” says Ed Baginski, traffic safety specialist for the Florham Park-based Club. “Child safety seats that are not properly installed won’t protect children as intended during a crash. The best protection a parent or guardian can offer is to make sure their child is properly secured in a car seat — every trip, every time.”

To educate parents on proper installation and use of child safety seats, the Club is sponsoring free child safety seat checks at the AAA Car Care Center in Springfield (135 Route 22 East) on the following dates/times:

·       Saturday, August 20 — 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

·       Saturday, August 27 — 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Nationally certified child passenger safety technicians will conduct the child safety seat checks. The technicians will examine the child seat to ensure that it has been installed correctly, that it is appropriate for the child’s height and weight, and confirm that it has not been recalled by the manufacturer.

AAA urges proper restraints for all vehicle occupants and recommends adhering to these simple guidelines for determining the appropriate child restraint:

  Rear Facing Seats in the back seat from birth to at least age 2. It’s safest to keep the babies in the rear-facing position as long as possible, maxing out the upper weight or height limits of the car seat.

Forward-Facing Toddler Seats in the back seat once children outgrow the upper weight or height limit of their rear-facing convertible seat. It’s safest to keep your child in a five-point harness as long as possible to the upper size (height and weight) limits of the seat.

Booster Seats in the back seat from about age 4 until your child is 4’9” tall (usually between 8-12 years of age).

Seat Belts when your child is taller than 4’9”. The back seat is the safest place for kids—they should ride in the back until they are at least 13 years of age.

The AAA New Jersey Automobile Club, headquartered in Florham Park, provides automotive, travel, insurance, financial and educational services to residents of Essex, Morris and Union Counties. Visit AAA online at AAA.com.