The Illinois State Police is reminding parents and caregivers about the importance of properly securing children in vehicles as Illinois observes Child Passenger Safety Week, September 21-27.
ISP says choosing the appropriate car seat, booster seat or seat belt based on a child’s age and size is one of the most important steps caregivers can take to protect children in a crash.
The reminder follows two recent fatal crashes involving children. On September 6, ISP responded to a crash on Interstate 57 in Cook County in which an infant died and four other children were injured. State Police said none of the children were restrained in a child safety seat.
On September 12, a child was killed in a rollover crash on Interstate 39 in Ogle County. ISP said three children in that vehicle were not properly restrained, and one was ejected and suffered fatal injuries.
Illinois law requires children under age eight to be properly secured in an appropriate child restraint system. Children younger than two must ride in a properly fitted rear-facing seat unless they weigh at least 40 pounds or are at least 40 inches tall.
ISP recommends keeping children rear-facing for as long as their car seat’s height and weight limits allow. Children should then transition to a forward-facing seat with a harness and tether, followed by a booster seat when appropriate.
Many Illinois State Police troopers are certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians and participate in free car seat safety checks and community education events across the state.
ISP encourages parents and caregivers to make sure child restraints are properly installed and appropriate for the child’s age, height and weight.
For more information about finding the appropriate seat for your child or the Illinois Child Passenger Protection Act visit ISP’s Traffic Safety website. To locate a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician in your area, visit the Safe Kids National CPS Certification website.