Child Safety Seats

Each year thousands of young lives could be protected from severe injury or death, simply by being properly protected in automobiles. During a crash, unprotected children are thrown around inside a vehicle after the vehicle hits an object and stops. Even a sudden stop can launch unprotected children through a vehicle like missiles. A child held in a grown-ups lap " For Protection ", may be crushed against the dashboard or windshield by the adult's weight. No one has enough strength to keep a child from smashing into a car's interior, or from being ejected from a vehicle during a crash.

All 50 States now have child passenger safety laws. In Maryland, the law states the following:

• Any person transporting a child under age of 4 or weighing 40 pounds or less shall position the child in a car safety seat.
• Any person transporting a child weighing 40 pounds and who is less than 10 years old, shall secure the child in a properly fastened seat belt and or shoulder harness.

The Baltimore County Police Department aggressively enforces the above law to help prevent our children from being seriously injured or killed in auto accidents.

CRASH PROTECTION FOR CHILDREN

• Child safety seats are a youngster's best protection against injury in an auto accident.
• The safest place for your child is the rear seat of your vehicle.
• All safety seats manufactured after January 1, 1981 have a label certifying that they meet Federal Safety Standards.
• Not all models fit in all cars. When shopping, make sure your child fits in the seat and the seat fits your car.

Please help protect your children by following the tips provided. Remember, our children are our future, let's protect them.

Tips prepared by Off Charles J. Bury Jr, Baltimore County Police, PC01
Any further questions, contact me at 410-887-0872

Kiwanis Club of Reisterstown Help a Child Program