Did you know...9 out of 10 car seats are not used correctly in Louisiana, and many children DO NOT use child safety seats at all!

On Jan. 28, Lexlee's Kids, Central Fire, Port Allen Fire, West Baton Rouge Sheriff, Louisiana State Police and Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital helped make 45 children safer while on the road. Of the 45 car seats inspected, 26 car seats were distributed to families in need thanks to Every Kid a King.

Some common mistakes found during community car seat events are: not using child restraints at all, expired/recalled car seats, loose installs, incorrect harnessing of the child in the car seat, incorrect recline angle of rear facing car seats, installing car seats using both the seat belt and lower anchors and the often forgotten BOOSTER SEAT age group!

When it comes to booster seats, some will say it adds comfort; it lets their kids see out of the window or it’s just plain ole’ safe! Whatever your reason, just make sure you give your kids a boost! Seatbelts are designed for adults, so booster seats provide a boost allowing children to fit the seatbelt properly. When a child is not tall enough, a seatbelt will sit inappropriately on the abdomen and neck causing severe injuries. The injuries could damage the internal organs and cause paralysis by making contact with the spinal cord instead of the strong bones of the hips, shoulders and chest. In the child passenger safety world, we refer to these injuries as “Seatbelt Syndrome”. A seat belt should lie over the hips, shoulder and chest, not the neck and stomach.

Once your child outgrows his or her harness seat, and it's time to move your child into a booster seat, make sure they are at least 4 years old and 40 pounds.

A Few Tips:

• Belt positioning booster seats must be used with both lap AND shoulder belt and head restraint provided by a high back booster or vehicle seat.

• The seat belt should never be placed under the arm or behind the back.

• Back seat is the best seat! If possible, keep your children in the back seat until they reach age 13.

Friendly Reminder…Booster seats should be restrained by the vehicle seatbelt even when your child is not present? This will stop the booster seat from becoming a projectile in the event of a crash.

***Stay tuned for the Lexlee's Kids Booster Seat Carpool Clean-Up to be held at Wildwood Elementary in February of 2012!

Special thanks to Every Kid a King for supporting the Lexlee's Kids Buckle Boogie program and Central Walmart. All families in need of child passenger safety assistance may call Lexlee's Kids at 225-372-3991 for more information.

Lexlee’s Kids is a child injury prevention non-profit for children ages 0-18. For more information, please visit www.lexleeskids.org.

If you or your organization would like to partner with Lexlee’s Kids, please contact Crystal Pichon at 225-372-3991 or crystal@lexleeskids.org.