Child Passenger Safety

child passenger safety

The OP Police Department strives to educate parents on the proper use of child safety seats and booster seats.

An estimated 85 percent of children who are placed in child safety seats and booster seats are improperly restrained, according to Safe Kids USA.

Misuse includes, among other things, using an inappropriate seat for a child's age and size, placing an infant under 1 or under 20 pounds in a forward-facing seat, not securing the seat tightly in the vehicle and not securing the child correctly in the seat.

The back seat is safest. It is estimated that children, ages 12 and under, are up to 36 percent less likely to die in a crash if they are in a rear seat of a vehicle.

To help ensure your child's safety, the police department offers free child safety seat checks the first Wednesday of every month, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the W. Jack Sanders Justice Center, 12400 Foster (map). Appointments are required by calling 913/895-6419.

A certified child passenger safety technician will teach you how to install your car seat safely and see if your seat has been recalled.