The North Country Child Passenger Safety Coalition is urging parents and caregivers to have their children’s car seats checked during Child Passenger Safety Week, Sept. 13-19, and has scheduled a free safety check in Massena.

On Wednesday, Sept. 16, there will be a car sear check at Seaway Valley Ambulance, 202 North Main St., Massena. Those who attend should bring their car seat instructions and vehicle owner’s manual, if they have them. Consumers can also access car seat assistance by appointment at various locations throughout the county.

During Child Passenger Safety Week, the North Country Child Passenger Safety Coalition will have Certified Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Technicians on-hand to provide education on how to use car seats, booster seats, and seat belts for children. Technicians can educate consumers about choosing the right car seat for their child, the importance of registering car seats with the manufacturer, and what to expect if the seat is subject to a safety recall.

On average, nearly two children under 13 were killed and 345 children were injured every day in 2013 while riding in cars, SUVs, pickups, and vans. While car seats save lives and prevent injuries, many caregivers aren’t using car seats properly.

During a one-year period from 2014-2015, 83 % of the seats checked in St. Lawrence County had one or more usage errors. Misuse and non-use of child restraints tend to increase as children get older. Almost half of 13-year-old “tweens” killed in passenger vehicles from 2009 to 2013 were not wearing safety belts.

The local coalition is reminding parents and caregivers about car seat laws for New York:

• All children must be restrained in an appropriate child restraint system while riding in a motor vehicle, until they reach their 8th birthday. An appropriate child restraint system is one that meets the child's size and weight recommended by the manufacturer.

• If under age four, he or she must be properly secured in a federally-approved child safety seat that is attached to a vehicle by a safety belt or universal child restraint anchorage (LATCH) system.

• A child from age 4 to 8 must use a booster seat with lap and shoulder belt or a child safety seat, unless he or she is over 100 lbs. or is taller than 4 feet nine inches. While New York Law does not require booster seat use over age 8, many children from 8 to 12 would still benefit from a booster seat. Boosters help raise the child up so that seat belt fits properly.

• To use the seat belt, the child must be able to sit straight up against the vehicle's seat back with his or her knees bent comfortably over the edge of the seat. The lap belt should be placed low and tight across the upper thighs; the shoulder belt should rest tightly but comfortably across the child's chest and shoulder (collar bone) without touching the throat. If the seat belt does not fit properly, the child should use a booster seat with a lap and shoulder belt.

More information on car seat inspection sites, laws, and tips can be found on the “Safe New York” website at http://www.safeny.ny.gov/seat-per.htm, or by calling the St. Lawrence County Traffic Safety Program at 379-2306.