Sheriff supports child safety restraint use

VW County Sheriff’s information

Van Wert County Sheriff Thomas M. Riggenbach announced his office’s participation in Child Passenger Safety Week, a campaign dedicated to helping parents and caregivers make sure their children ride as safely as possible, every trip, every time.  Sheriff Riggenbach said that Child Passenger Safety Week runs from September 14-20 and is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

“Every 34 seconds a child under the age of 13 is involved in a crash,” said Sheriff Riggenbach.  “Using age and size appropriate child restraints is the best way to keep your child safe.”

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading killer of children ages 1 to 13.  Car seats, booster seats, and seat belts can make all the difference.

“In 2012, 265 children under the age of 5 were saved because they were in car seats,” Sheriff Riggenbach said. “Car seats matter, and having the right car seat installed and used the right way is critical.”

Sheriff Riggenbach added that, too often, parents move their children to the front seat before they should, which increases the risk of injury and death. Also, according to the NHTSA, about 24 percent of children ages 4-7 (who should be riding in booster seats), were prematurely moved to seat belts, and 9 percent were unrestrained altogether.

“It’s our job to keep our children safe,” Sheriff Riggenbach stressed.  “Get your car seats checked; make certain they are installed the right way and that your children are buckled in the right way.  Even if you think your child is safe, check again, so you can be sure that your child is the safest he or she can be while riding.”

Sheriff Riggenbach said the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office has a certified car seat technician, Deputy Colleen Wiley.  Sheriff Riggenbach encourages residents who have children in car seats or booster seats to contact Deputy Wiley at the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office at 419.238.3866, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with any questions about their car seats or booster seats.

Residents can also make an appointment with Deputy Wiley to have their child’s car seat or booster seat installed or inspected. This service provided by the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office is available to residents all year, not just during Child Passenger Safety Week.

Sheriff Riggenbach also said the NHTSA recommends keeping children rear-facing as long as possible up to the top height or weight allowed by their particular seats.  Once a child outgrows the rear-facing only “infant” car seat, the child should travel in a rear-facing “convertible” or multi-use car seat.  Once children outgrow the rear-facing size limits, they are ready to travel in a forward-facing car seat with a harness.  After outgrowing the forward-facing car seats, children should be placed in booster seats until they are big enough to use seat belts safely. The safest place for kids under age 13 is in the back seat of the car.

Sheriff Riggenbach provided information on Ohio’s Child Restraint Law:

Children who are less than 4 years of age, and/or weigh less than 40 pounds, must be in properly used child restraints, in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions.

Children less than 8 years of age, unless they have reached 4 feet, 9 inches in height, must be properly secured in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions in booster seats or child restraints that meet the federal motor vehicle safety standards.

Children who are 8-15 years of age (or younger children who are at least 4 feet, 9 inches tall) must be properly restrained in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions in child restraints, booster seats, or seat belts, regardless of front or back seat occupancy.

Sheriff Riggenbach reminds residents to register their car seat and booster seat with the car seat manufacturer, so they can be notified in the event of a recall.

For more information on car seat and child car safety, county residents can go to the following website www.safercar.gov/parents.