MASSENA – The St. Lawrence County Traffic Safety Program will hold a free car seat check Monday, Sept. 24, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Massena Fire Department, 34 Andrews St.

Every day in America, too many children ride in car seats that have been installed incorrectly, or are riding in the wrong car seats for their ages and sizes. Other children ride while completely unbuckled. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 60 percent of car seats are installed or adjusted incorrectly.

On average, “every 33 seconds in 2015, a child under 13 was involved in a crash” in the U.S., said Carrie Conger, Traffic Safety Information Specialist for St. Lawrence County. “Using car seats that are age- and size-appropriate is the best way to keep your children safe.” According to NHTSA, motor vehicle crashes are a leading killer of children, and fatalities are on the rise. She said that car seats, booster seats, and seat belts can make all the difference.

Conger added that too often, parents move their children to the front seat before they should, which increases the risk of injury and death. The safest place for all kids under 13 is in the back seat. Also, according to NHTSA in 2015, about 25.8 percent of children 4 to 7 who should be riding in booster seats were prematurely moved to seat belts, and 11.6 percent were unbuckled altogether.

“It’s our job to keep our children safe,” she said. “Get your car seats checked. Make certain they’re installed correctly, and that your kids are in the right seats and are buckled in correctly. Even if you think your child is safe, check again, so you can be sure that your child is the safest he or she can be while traveling.”

Those who wish to attend the seat check should bring their child in the current car seat, and if they have them, they should also bring both the car seat instruction booklet, and the vehicle owner’s manual. In addition to the September event, there are local programs where parents can have seats checked by appointment.

Information about these services can be found on the Safe New York web site, http://www.safeny.ny.gov/seat-per.htm or by calling Conger at 315-386-2207. Parents and caregivers can view more info on car seat safety and locate a certified child passenger safety technician at www.nhtsa.gov/carseat.

This car seat check is sponsored by NHTSA through funding from the New York Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.