Free child car seat check-up

BRAZIL -- Chances for Indiana Youth is partnering with York Chevy Buick in Brazil to help parents and caregivers to make sure their child safety seats are properly installed in their vehicles.

Certified technicians will be available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 11 at York.

To maximize the benefit, it is recommended that parents bring the child and car seat.

"It's the responsibility of every parent and caregiver to make sure their children are safely restrained -- every trip, every time and at every age," Alia Hazel, certified child passenger safety technician, said. "We are urging everyone to have their child checked to be sure they are using the correct restraint and that it is being used properly.

"Typically, we see a misuse rate of 80-90 percent. So it's important for parents to let a certified technician check the car seat for safety, suitability and proper use."

Hazel added that parents should follow these basic guidelines for determining which restraint system is best suited to protect their child.

- All children should ride in the back seat

- Infants should be in rear-facing, child safety seats for as long as possible based on the height or weight limit of the seat. Never turn a child forward-facing before age 1 and at least 20 pounds

Keeping kids rear-facing until age 2 is preferred.

- When children outgrow their rear-facing seats they should ride in forward-facing child safety seats.

- Once children outgrow the harness on their seat, they should ride on booster seats with a vehicle lap/shoulder belt until the vehicle seat belt fits properly.

- Seat belts fit properly when the child can pass the safety belt test: The lap belt lays across the upper thighs, the shoulder belt rests on the shoulder or collar bone and the knees bend naturally at the seat's edge.

- After children fully outgrow their booster seats, they should use the adult seat belts in the back seat.

York is located at 2456 West U.S. 40.