|
Learn car seat safety
 | | Deputy Diedra R. Shriver, Bath County Sheriff's Office demonstrates how to properly use a car seat. (Photo courtesy BCSO) |
|
SALEM - Bath County deputy Diedra R. Shriver attended a class on the "operation kids" law enforcement child passenger safety program last month at the Cardinal Criminal Justice Academy.
It consisted of one day of classroom work, and four hours of practical application. The practical application was held at the Salem Walmart, where students checked and installed child safety seats.
The operation kids program is designed to reduce unnecessary and preventable motor vehicle injures and fatalities to infants and children through increased enforcement, education, and compliance with existing child passenger safety statues.
New guidelines concerning child restraint systems went into effect July 1.
These guidelines are:
Infants until at least one year old and at least 20 pounds should be in rear-facing seats.
Children over one year and weighing more than 20 pounds can be in forward-facing safety seats.
Children about age four to at least age eight, and under four feet, nine inches tall, should be in a booster seat.
Children at least eight years old or over four feet, nine inches, can usually fit in lap or shoulder belt.
The Bath County sheriff's office reminds parents and caregivers to make sure the chil- dren in their care are properly restrained when riding in vehicles, and remind everyone to buckle up - it's the law.
| 
)