LIHUE In recognition of National Child Passenger Safety Week, the Kauai Police Department will be hosting a free car seat safety inspection from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at Walmart.
LIHUE — In recognition of National Child Passenger Safety Week, the Kauai Police Department will be hosting a free car seat safety inspection from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at Walmart.
Specially trained officers will be on-hand to inspect car seats and ensure proper installation.
Hawaii state law requires children under the age of 4 to ride in a child safety seat, and children under the age of 8 to ride in a child passenger restraint or booster seat.
Violators could face a fine of up to $500, and may be required to take a child passenger safety course.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car crashes are the leading cause of death for children.
Research has shown that properly installed child safety seats can reduce the risk of infant fatalities by 71 percent, and by 54 percent for toddlers, ages 1 to 4 years old.
Safety officers additionally advise that children remain in a booster seat until they are big enough to fit in a seat belt properly, even if they are over the age of 8.
According to NHTSA, a proper seat belt should lie snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach.
