3 Out of 4 Car Seats Installed Wrong

Car seats are supposed to keep your child safe, but they can’t do their job if they’re not installed correctly.

Three out of four car seats is installed wrong, according to AAA.

“Child safety seats will save lives, but only when they are installed and used properly,” Pennsylvania State Police Lieutenant Colonel George L. Bivens said.

This is National Child Passenger Safety Week.

Pennsylvania law says that any child younger than 4 must be in a federally approved car seat appropriate for the child’s age, height and weight. Children 4 to 8 must be in a booster seat if they are too big for a car seat.

To make sure your seat is installed correctly, you can stop by free checkpoints, listed below. State police also offer these tips:

•Read and follow the car seat and vehicle manufacturers’ instructions;

•Use the car’s seat belt to anchor the seat to the car unless you are using a child safety seat with the LATCH system;

•Fill out and return the registration card for your seat so you'll know if it is recalled because of a problem;

•Make sure the seat’s harness fits snugly; and

•Use a tether strap if the seat requires it.

These videos from The National Highway Traffic Administration can also help parents correctly install the seats.

Here’s a list from AAA of free car seat events for this week. Most events require appointments.

Chester County

Pennsylvania State Police

2 Moxley Lane, Avondale, PA

Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013; 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.

To schedule an appointment, call 610-906-2711

Paoli Hospital

255 W Lancaster Ave., Paoli, PA

Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

To schedule an appointment, call 610-906-2711

Faulkner Buick/GMC

705 Autopark Blvd., West Chester, PA

Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

No appointment necessary

Universal Technical Institute

750 Pennsylvania Drive, Exton, PA

Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

To schedule an appointment, call 610-344-5389

Delaware County

Pennsylvania State Police

1342 West Baltimore Pike, Media, PA

Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2013, 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Middletown Fire Department

425 S. New Middletown Road, Media

Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Schedule an appointment online at www.chop.edu/childsafety, or call 215-590-5437

Montgomery County

Pennsylvania State Police

2047-C Bridge Road, Schwenksville, PA

Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013; 7 a.m. – noon

To schedule an appointment, call 610-584-2832

Limerick Fire Station

390 West Ridge Pike, Limerick

Friday, Sept. 20, 2013, 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

To schedule an appointment, call 610-278-5119

Abington Hospital

1200 Old York Rd, Abington

Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013, 8 a.m. – noon

Schedule an appointment on-line at www.chop.edu/childsafety

Norristown Zoo (Booster Seat Distribution only)

1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown, PA

Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

No appointment necessary; however, paid admission to Zoo is required, and child must be present to receive the booster seat.  For more information, call 610-278-5117 x6772.

Bucks County

Bucks County Dept. of Health

1282 Almshouse Road, Doylestown, PA

Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

To schedule an appointment, call 267-590-3510

Target Store

610 North West End Blvd., Quakertown, PA

Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.

To schedule an appointment, call 215-249-9191

Babies R Us

330 Commerce Blvd., Fairless Hills, PA

Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013; 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

To schedule an appointment, call 215-710-7078

Philadelphia

Philadelphia Fire Department – Engine 22

3270 Comly Road, Philadelphia, PA

Monday, Sept. 16, 2013; 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Schedule an appointment online at www.chop.edu/childsafety

Pennsylvania State Police

2201 Belmont Ave., Philadelphia, PA

Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013; 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

To schedule an appointment, call Trooper Danea Durham 215-452-5208

Gordon Chevrolet

6301 Roosevelt Blvd., Philadelphia, PA

Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013; 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

To schedule an appointment, call 215-985-2534