You survived labor, delivery and the first days of motherhood. It’s finally time to go home, but are you really ready? When traveling with your new, precious cargo, safety becomes concern number one.

Many parents unknowingly put their children at unnecessary risk each time they go for a drive. In Columbus, an estimated 86 percent of children who are placed in car seats and booster seats are improperly restrained. “Misuse is common and includes using the wrong seat for a child’s age and size, not securing the seat tightly in the vehicle and not securing the child correctly in the seat,” said Pamela Fair, Coalition Leader of Safe Kids Columbus.

For peace of mind, parents and caregivers can turn to Columbus’ first and only Free Inspection Station to have nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians assist in:
• Correctly securing the car seat or booster seat into the vehicle
• Properly buckling the child into the car seat or booster seat
• Adjusting the car seat’s harness and car seat angle for the child
• Checking for any recalls on the car seat or booster seat

The Inspection Station is held every first and third Tuesday at Fire Station #12, located at 5225 Cargo Drive in Columbus. Drivers can bring their child, car seat, vehicle’s owner’s manual and the car seat or booster seat instructions. All seat checks are by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call Safe Kids Columbus at 706-321-6183.

To keep your children safe as they grow, simply follow the 4 Steps for Kids:
• Use rear-facing infant seats in the back seat from birth to at least age 1 AND 20 pounds. For maximum safety, keep your child rearfacing until age 1 AND until he or she reaches the rear-facing weight limit of your particular car seat.
• Use forward-facing toddler seats in the back seat from age 1 and 20 pounds up to the maximum weight limit of your particular car seat.
• Use booster seats in the back seat from about age 4 and 40 pounds to at least age eight—unless the child is 4 feet 9 inches or taller.
• Use safety belts in the back seat from about age 8 or taller than 4 feet 9 inches. Children under age 13 are 36 percent less likely to die in a car crash if they ride in the back seat.

Children ages 4 through 8 who are not restrained in booster seats are four times more likely to receive head injuries in a car crash. “Safety belts are designed to fit adults and won’t fully restrain a child in a crash. The booster seat is the next step for children who have outgrown their car seat,” said Fair.

Once the professionals have assisted with the installation of your car seat, you can relax, knowing you have done the very best for your child. Now about that baby swing…

For more information, visit www.safekidscolumbusga.com. Safe Kids Columbus has been led by the Columbus Health Department since 1998.