Car crashes are the number one cause of death for children. Between 2013 to 2017, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (N.H.T.S.A.) reported 3,313 children under the age of 13 died in car crashes. In 2017 alone, over 40 percent of children killed were not buckled in properly.
Hundreds of parents and guardians every year skip the vital step of securing their children properly in the car. Most are simple mistakes, and without the knowledge that an error has been made. To help spread awareness and prevent further child fatalities on the road, the N.H.T.S.A. sponsors the annual Child Passenger Safety Week every September. From September 15 to 21, the N.H.T.S.A. along with countless other national organizations, launch active safety campaigns geared towards parents and guardians on the importance of car seat safety.
Long Island families can access a bulk of community resources and events this week to assist them in properly choosing and installing their children’s car seats. To end the week, Saturday, September 21 is National Seat Check Day. Residents can visit several inspection stations in Nassau and Suffolk Counties to gain peace of mind that their little ones are safely secured.
All New York parents can help spread awareness this week by staying informed on the facts. To help you get started, we’ve compiled some of the most crucial facts parents need to know about car seat safety.
Car Seat Mistakes To Avoid
Safe Kids Worldwide reports that for every 33 seconds, a child under the age of 13-years-old is involved in a car accident. Car seats are vital to protecting our children in the case of an accident, but only if they are being used properly. Unfortunately, most parents are not aware when they are making deadly car seat errors, leading to an increased chance of life-threatening injuries every time their child rides in the car.
An article published in Fatherly highlights the seven most common car seat mistakes parents are making that could cause serious harm:
- Installing Car Seats Improperly:Common installation mistakes include wrong angles, using the wrong belt, not securing seat correctly, not following the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Turning Car Seat Too Soon:According to new recommendations released by the American Academy of Pediatrics, parents should keep their kids rear-facing as long as possible. Yet, a number of parents turn their kids around well before just because it’s easier.
- Not Fastening Seat Top Tether:The top tether of the car seat can keep children facing forward from toppling in a car accident. Fatherly reports more than 64% of parents don’t even use the top tether, and 50% aren’t attaching it correctly.
- Not Tightening Shoulder Harness Correctly:Leaving space in the harness is extremely dangerous and can cause your child to slip out of the seat and be ejected from the car. There should be no slack in the shoulder harness.
- Not Taking Off Winter Coats:Winter coats can cause a child to be loosely secured in a seat, even if it appears the straps are tight. There are an extra four inches of space between the coat and the child that can cause a child to fly out easily.
- Not Using The Right Seat:If children are in a seat that is too big or too small, they can be seriously injured in a car accident without the proper protection for their body.
- Missing Recalls:Not sending in the registration form for your car seat can cause parents to miss important safety recalls for their products that could put your kids in danger.
The Worst Car Seats To Use
Car seats are expensive. The cost alone of a modern-day car seat is enough to hinder a parent’s choice to purchase a new one. But holding on to subpar car seats or choosing cheaper options may not be a safer alternative. Here are the types of car seats parents should avoid:
- Expired Seats:Car seats have expiration dates for a reason. According to Consumer Reports, car seat components break down over time. This can lead to safety features failing in the case of a crash. Car seats that are typically over six-years-old should be replaced with newer models.
- Car Seats That Have Been In Accidents:Car accidents apply a large amount of force on objects inside the car, including the seats. Safety experts recommend replacing car seats after an accident due to the stress placed on the safety components. Keeping seats after an accident could result in life-threatening injuries or the product to fail in a crash.
- Second-Hand Seats: Parents who buy second-hand seats do not know the history of the product. These models may have been subject to recalls, accidents, and other types of mistreatment that compromise their integrity and durability. The cost reduction is not worth the risk.
Walmart Trade-In Event
Parents who are looking to purchase a new car seat or upgrade their current models will be excited about Walmart’s new Car Seat Trade-In Event. From now until September 30, Walmart will award customers a $30 gift card that can be used on any item in-store or online. The incentive is perfect to use on the next car seat you need for your little one. Here’s how to participate:
- Bring your car seat to the Customer Service counter from September 16 to September 30.
- Leave the car seat at the counter and walk away with a $30 Walmart gift card.
- There are only two-trade-ins allowed per household (booster seats are not eligible).
For more information on the trade-in program, view Walmart’s policies here
Long Island Child Passenger Safety Events
Parents on Long Island should take full advantage of local resources and events available during Child Passenger Safety Week, including participating in National Seat Check Saturday. Making sure your child’s safety seat is properly secured and appropriate for their size could save their lives and protect them from permanent or disabling injuries.
Nassau and Suffolk Counties both offer multiple sites for car seat installation assistance. Parents are required to make appointments before to ensure they have enough time to ask all the questions needed for their child’s safety. Here is a list of Child Safety Seat Inspection Stations on Long Island highlighted by the NYS Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee:
Nassau County
Nassau County Traffic Safety Board
170 Cantiague Rock Road, Hicksville, NY 11801
Tues, Wed & Fri. 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. — Appointment required
Contact: Christopher Mistron at (516) 571-9664
Steven & Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York
North Shore-LIJ Health System
269-01 76th Avenue, New Hyde Park, NY 11040
MONTHLY — Appointment required
Contact: Jillian Savino (718) 470-7178 or schedule an appointment at cohenchildrenstrauma.eventbrite.com
Garden City Police Department
349 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530
Appointment required
Contact: (516) 465-4121
Town of Hempstead Department of Public Safety
200 North Franklin Street, Hempstead, NY 11550
Locations: Fall/Winter/Spring – East Meadow, NY
Summer – Various park facilities
Wednesdays and one weekend day each month
9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. — Appointment required
Contact: (516) 538-1900, ext. 7709 or https://hempsteadny.gov/public-safety-department/child-car-seat-safety-program
EAC SAFE START
175 Fulton Avenue, Hempstead, NY 11550
Appointment required
Spanish Speaking Technicians are available.
Contact: Angela Brockmann at (516) 292-7362
Education & Assistance Corporation – Nassau County
170 Cantiague Rock Road, Hicksville, NY 11801
Thursday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Appointment required
Spanish Speaking Technicians are available.
Contact: Angela Brockmann at (516) 292-7362
NY Coalition for Transportation
620 Central Avenue, Cedarhurst, NY 11516
Wednesday – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Appointment required
Contact: Mark Hoffacker at 1 (516) 569-3083
Families of children with special health care needs can contact Mark Hoffacker at (516) 551-2411 or mwhoffacker@gmail.com
Strapped in Car Seat Safety
13 Woodtree Drive, Woodbury, NY 11797)
Appointment required
Contact: Brett Soloman at (516) 521-3696 or email brett@strappedincarseatsafety.com
Suffolk County
South Fork Community Health Initiative
200 Pantigo Place, Suite M, East Hampton, NY 11937
Monday thru Friday – 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — Appointment required
Contact: Darlene Mercieca at (631) 831-0022
East Hampton Town Police Department
131 Wainscott Northwest Road, Wainscott, NY 11975
Appointment required
Contact: Sergeant Thomas Lambert at (631) 537-7575 ext. 206 or e-mail tlambert@ehtpd.org
Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center
1000 Montauk Highway, West Islip, NY 11795
Monday thru Friday — Appointment required
Contact: (631) 376-4109
Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office
100 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY 11901
3rd Wednesday of the month – 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. — Appointment required
Contact: Deputy Sheriff Allison Zachino at (631) 852-2651
Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Sub-Station
Gabreski Airport, County Road 31, Westhampton, NY 11977
Every other Wednesday – 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. — Appointment required
Contact: To schedule an appointment call (631) 852-2650 and speak to Arthur Sanchez
Village of East Hampton Police Department
1 Cedar Street, East Hampton, NY 11937
Appointment required
Contact: Officer Matthew Morgan at (631) 324-0777
Village of Quogue Police Department
115 Jessup Avenue, Quogue, NY 11959
Appointment required
Contact: Patrol Officer Kellie Hanley at (631) 653-4791
New York State Police
7140 Republic Airport, Farmingdale, NY 11735
Appointment required
Contact: Trooper Frank Bandiero at (631) 756-3389
Suffolk County Park Police
Southaven County Park, Shirley, NY 11967
Appointment required
Contact: Officer Ronald Brockmann at (631) 854-1477
Education & Assistance Corporation
80 Wheeler Road, Central Islip, NY 11722
Last 3 Wednesdays of the month — Appointment required
Spanish Speaking Technicians are available.
Contact: Angela Brockmann at (631) 648-7100 ext. 210 or e-mail angela.brockmann@eacinc.org
Sag Harbor Police Department
70 Division Street, Sag Harbor, NY 11963
Appointment required
Contact: Officer David Driscoll at (631) 725-3604
Dix Hills Fire District
115 East Deer Park Road, Dix Hills, NY 11746
Monday through Friday – 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. by appointment only
Appointment required
Spanish Speaking Technicians are available.
Contact: Glenn Kaleita or George Fleites at (631) 499-8836 ext: 137
Continental Car Care
654 Portion Road, Lake Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
By Appointment Only
Contact: Chris Barba at (631) 981-0101
Long Island Accident Attorneys and Safety Advocates
For more than 25 years, our attorneys at Siler & Ingber have been safety dedicated advocates for protecting Long Island families on the roads. If your child has been injured in a vehicle accident due to someone else’s negligence, our winning team is here to help. Contact us for a free case evaluation to explore your options for seeking justice by calling 1-877-529-4343 or filling out the contact form below.