I feel bad. I don't think most people know how much there is to putting these things in. Very true, experts say. An estimated 85 percent of parents don't use child safety seats correctly, according to the National Safe Kids Campaign, or NSKC, a group that works to prevent accidental injury in children. At a recent check sponsored by Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters in Norfolk, just two of the 79 seats inspected were in the right position or held tightly enough in place.
Children can pay a heavy price.
NSKC statistics show close to 1,800 kids younger than 14 die in car crashes every year, and 274,000 are injured. When car seats are used correctly, they can cut the risk of death by 71 percent for infants and 54 percent for young children. I really do want to scare people a little. There are several basic rules that can make a huge difference, said Malarkey, who teaches classes on safety seats at the Riverside Pediatric Center on Main Street. Classes are given to people who qualify for the state's free car seat program, but Malarkey welcomes anyone who wants to attend.