This week is National Child Passenger Safety Week. Secretary of State Jesse White is reminding families about a new car seat law taking effect in January. Car crashes are a leading cause of death for children ages 1-13, so it’s important to follow the latest safety recommendations – and that includes this new law says Secretary White. “Young people from the ages of 2 years and younger must face the rear of the automobile,” White said. “We found that a child is five times safer while riding in a rear-facing seat.” All kids must be in a proper car or booster seat up until age eight. Rear facing seats should never be used in front of an active airbag. Parents are urged to keep children under 13 in the back seat where they are the safest. A child safety seat installation event was held at OSF St. Mary Medical center earlier this month. Shad Edwards, Traffic Safety Liaison for IDOT and the Illinois Police Chief’s Association reports there were 7 technicians on hand, 3 volunteers, 9 car seats were checked, and 3 new seats were provided at the check. The event was also a joint effort with the Galesburg Salvation Army, Knox County Sheriff’s Department, OSF, and buckleupilliois.org.
