An article in the March 1, 2009 edition of the Chicago Tribune suggested that unpublicized government crash tests from 2008 may have revealed “flaws” in car seats. While the details of the tests are still unclear, one thing remains undisputed: car seats save children’s lives every day. It is critical that parents and caregivers continue to use car seats for their children.

Correctly used car seats and booster seats are extremely effective, reducing the risk of death in a crash by as much as 71 percent. And the number of children killed in crashes over the past 30 years has dropped significantly, mostly due to the widespread use of car seats and enhanced child passenger safety laws.

Safe Kids USA always puts children and their safety first. Despite the report in the Tribune, the car seats on the market today are still the best, proven way to protect children in the event of a crash. Parents should continue to buckle their children in the right car seat or booster seat on every ride.

Safe Kids believes that more testing for car seats and vehicles can only continue to advance the child passenger safety field and improve the level of protection we can offer children when they ride. The more we know about car seats and how they react in crashes, the better equipped we will be to push for new technology and improvements that will keep children safer.

But there are a few important things a parent can do today to make sure their child is getting the best protection when using a car seat or booster seat:

• Always use the right restraint for your child’s height, weight and developmental age.

• Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions that came with the car seat.

• Make sure your car seat and vehicle work together. For example, the largest car seat on the market may not fit in a compact car as well as a smaller car seat. Remember all seats meet the same Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

• Get help installing your seat the right way. Find a Safe Kids car seat checkup event at http://www.safekidsweb.org/events/events.asp. A certified car seat technician will guide you to the right seat for your child and vehicle and teach you how to install it correctly.

• All children under 13 should ride in a backseat.

NHTSA Statement on Review of Federal Standards for Child Safety Seats

As the weather starts to turn colder, the risk of fires increases significantly. Nationwide, 412 children ages 14 and under died in 2006 due to unintentional fire- and burn-related injuries, and approximately 98,700 more were injured.

Approximately 80 percent of all fire-related deaths and injuries occur in the home, and young children are at a particularly high risk because they don’t perceive danger as readily and can lack the ability to escape a life-threatening burn situation.

“Stay fire smart! Don’t get burned” is the theme for this year’s Fire Prevention Week, and Safe Kids is joining the National Fire Protection Association to urge families to focus on burn prevention and awareness. NFPA has organized National Fire Prevention Week annually since 1922.

For more details visit www.firepreventionweek.org. For more information about fire safety for children and families, as well as helpful tips and videos, visit www.usa.safekids.org/fire/.

As the weather starts to turn colder, the risk of fires increases significantly. Nationwide, 412 children ages 14 and under died in 2006 due to unintentional fire- and burn-related injuries, and approximately 98,700 more were injured.