Indianapolis, IN (Jan. 19, 2009) – AAA Hoosier Motor Club certified child passenger safety seat technicians inspected 1,306 car seats in 2008. In six years of offering the complimentary service, the club’s nationally-certified techs have checked a total of 5,795 seats.

“We are truly passionate about keeping children safe on Indiana roadways,” said Greg Seiter, public affairs manager for AAA Hoosier Motor Club. “The work our technicians have done over the last six years is a direct reflection of the level of commitment we have to this program.”

AAA Hoosier Motor Club offers the following recommendations for child safety seat installation:

• Be sure to check both vehicle and child seat manufacturer’s recommendations before installing the seat in the vehicle.
• Make sure the safety seat is installed in the right direction based on your child’s age and size. Children should ride rear-facing in a semi-reclined position until at least one year of age AND at least 20 pounds, or until they reach the upper weight limit of their rear-facing seat. Recent studies show a child is 5 to 6 times safer while riding rear-facing during their second year of life compared to riding forward-facing.    
• Ensure the child safety seat is secured as tightly as possible with either the vehicle’s seat belt or LATCH system, but not both. There should be no more than one inch of side-to-side or forward movement when checked at the seat belt path.
• When using the vehicle seat belt or LATCH to install a safety seat, be sure to use the proper belt path indicated in the manufacturer’s instructions based on the seat’s direction. They are different for forward-facing vs. rear-facing.
• Always attach the top tether to the appropriate anchor point in the vehicle when the child restraint is used in the forward-facing direction.
• Confirm that the harness straps are at the proper level, correctly threaded, lying flat and untwisted, and are snug so that no slack can be pinched in the straps. If the harness is loose, the child is more likely to be injured in a crash. Rear-facing seats should have the straps at or below the child’s shoulders and forward-facing seats should have the straps at or above the child’s shoulders.
• Adjust the retainer clip/chest clip so that it is at armpit level when the harness is snug. An improperly positioned retainer clip can cause internal organ damage or ejection.
• Some seat belt systems require the use of a locking clip to ensure the restraint is held securely at all times. Check often that the locking clip is in the right place, near the buckle, and threaded correctly. Keep the clip stored with the restraint even if the vehicle doesn’t require it; it may be needed with a different vehicle or rental car.
• Have the seat checked for proper installation by a certified child safety seat technician.

Technicians are available in all of the club’s branch office locations for complimentary inspections however appointments must be scheduled in advance. Those interested in locating their nearest service center can do so at www.AAA.com or by calling 317-923-1500.

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