Most parents understand the importance of buckling infants and toddlers into car seats. State laws underline this need, mandating that children under 40 pounds be restrained in specially-designed seats. This week, the consumer segment of The Saturday Early Show focuses on the need to use car booster seats. This causes serious injury in an accident - slicing into the stomach all the way to the spine or allowing the child to slip out from the seat belt. Less than 10 percent of children between 40 and 80 pounds use booster seats.
Traffic accidents are the number one cause of accidental death among young children.
A variety of efforts are under way to stop these preventable deaths. Individuals like Chris Mistron in Nassau County, New York, are becoming certified in safety-seat installation. Many car dealerships now offer certified seat installation as do car rental agencies. A group called Boost America is blitzing elementary schools with educational videos and other materials to show kids that booster seats are cool. The group has also pledged to give away one million seats this year.