Child Passenger Safety Week runs Sept. 20-26, with organizations across the country offering resources to help parents and caregivers safely secure children in vehicles.
Each September, safety organizations use Child Passenger Safety Week to help parents and caregivers make sure children are riding in the appropriate car seat, booster seat or seat belt.
In 2024, on average, two children 14 and younger were killed and 349 were injured in traffic crashes while riding in passenger vehicles every day and 39% of children killed in car crashes were unrestrained.
"Car seats and booster seats provide protection for infants and children in a crash, but it’s important to make sure your child is in the right seat for their age and size — and that the seat is installed
correctly," according to the organization's website.
Free car seat safety resources are available for families
Throughout the week, families can access free online resources from AAA, the National Safety Council, National Child Passenger Safety Board, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Safe Kids Worldwide. Resources will include how-to videos, motion graphics, educational flyers and more.
These tools will give practical and passenger safety tips, and show parents and caregivers how to correct common car seat misuses.
Visit cpsboard.org to learn more.
Where to get a free car seat check near Rochester
On Sept. 26, parents and guardians can receive free instructions on proper car seat installation and usage. Some participating locations in Rochester include:
- Gates Volunteer Ambulance, 1000 Elmgrove Road
- Ridge Road Fire District, 1229 Long Pond Road
- Rochester Police Dept, 923 Genesee St.
- Irondequoit Ambulance, 2330 Norton St.
Some locations can provide Spanish-language interpretation with advance notice and accommodations for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
—Genae Shields is the Business and Development Impact Reporter, working on mobility stories that focus on how people get around Rochester. As a member of the local community, Genae enjoys learning about emerging businesses and changes that impact Rochester's BIPOC and LGBTQ neighborhoods. She also enjoys supporting local artists and nonprofit organizations. Reach out at gshields@usatodayco.com or on Instagram:@genaebriphoto for questions, comments, or concerns. Thank you for your continued support!
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Where Rochester parents can get free car seat checks
