CLEVELAND — Sunday is the beginning of National Child Passenger Safety Week.
The initiative is dedicated to teaching parents and caregivers about the importance of choosing, installing and using car seats, booster seats and seat belts.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 46 children under the age of five died in 2017 because they were not properly buckled, but more than 300 were saved by car seats installed correctly.
When installed correctly, car seats can reduce the risk of fatal injury in a crash by 71% and by 54% for toddlers.
Last year, the American Academy of Pediatrics changed their car seat regulations and said children should stay in rear-facing car seats until they hit the height or weight limit for the car seat.
There are more than 30 certified technicians in Northeast Ohio that can check to make sure your car seat is installed correctly.
University Hospital's Ahuja Medical Center in Beachwood is hosting an event to check car seats on Tuesday from 2-5 p.m.
University Hospital's Avon Health Center is hosting an event to check car seats on Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
Walmart stores are also participating in National Child Passenger Safety Week by offering a $30 Walmart gift card for an old car seat. This deal runs until Sept. 30.
For more information on National Child Passenger Safety Week, click here.
