MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The WVU Medicine Children’s Injury Prevention and Safety Program will host a car seat safety event from 3-6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 18, in parking lot E along Willowdale Road. 
Child passenger safety technicians will be on site to conduct drive through car seat inspections and fit checks.
Each year, approximately one in four children sustains an unintentional injury that requires medical care. Unintentional injuries are the number one cause of death and disability among children in the United States. Often predictable and preventable, these injuries kill more children between the ages of one and 19 than all other causes combined.
The most common cause of death from unintentional injury in all children are motor vehicle crashes. The proper use of child restraints is the most effective strategy to prevent injury or death. Recently, guidelines were revised to an age-based system that delays the progression in the type of restraint for most children.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends all parents and caregivers observe the following car seat safety guidelines:
- Keep all children in a rear-facing position as long as possible, up to the limits of the seat or until the child reaches a minimum age of two years of age.
- All children should ride in a forward-facing seat, up to the limits of the seat or until at least five years of age.
- Older children must ride in a booster seat until child is four feet, nine inches tall.
- Lap and shoulder belts are required for all children, booster seat age and older.
- Must be 13 years of age to ride in the front seat.
For more information on the WVU Medicine Children’s Injury Prevention and Safety Program, visit https://childrens.wvumedicine.org/patients-visitors/programs/injury-prevention-safety-program.