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Show Correct use of car seats can save many lives The number one killer and crippler of children in the U.S. is motor vehicle crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Safe-ty Administration (NHTSA). And, one of the major reasons for this is due to the improper use of child safety seats. The Liberty Mutual Bountiful office remind you that, according to NHTSA, one out of every three child safety seats are used incorrectly. 'February is National Passenger Safety Month and the week of the 10th through the 16th is Child Passenger Pas-senger Safety Awareness Week," John B. Conners, executive vice president and manager of Liberty Mutual s person market department depart-ment said. "We just want to remind re-mind all family members that it is extremely critical to know how to properly use safety restraints for children when travelling. ' A child safety seat should be selected based on the size and weight of the child. It is extremely important to know that an infant-only infant-only seat, designed for a baby weighing under 20 pounds, must be placed backwards in the vehicle so that the baby rides facing the rear. According to the Washington, D.C. -based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, children under the age of one have the highest rate for vehicle passenger deaths. "In 1989 alone, over 700 children under the age of five died in roadway accidents," Conners said. "Liberty Mutual is committed to helping people live safer, more secure lives, and we urge parents and grandparents to always follow the instructions for installation and use given by the child safety seat manufacturer." Safety seat manufacturers must meet federal safety standards. Always look for the federal safety certification label. For confirmation that a model meets those federal standards, one can call NHTSA's auto safety hot line at 1-800-424-9393. |