Macomb County Web Site
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Protect our most precious cargo! Did you know that injuries from motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in children? (CDC 2006) Most of the injuries could be prevented by using age and size appropriate car seats. Using age and size appropriate car seats can reduce the risk of death in passenger cars by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers (ages 1 to 4). When a child grows out of a traditional "harness" car seat, using a booster seat (approximate ages 4 to 7) can reduce the risk of injury by 59% compared to using a seatbelt alone (NHTSA 2006). |
Unfortunately, 8 out of 10 car seats are used incorrectly. Some common mistakes associated with car seat use are:
The Macomb County Health Department offers free car seat inspections year-round. Inspections are done on an appointment basis only, Monday through Friday. There are two Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians on staff to answer your questions or inspect your car seats. To schedule an appointment or for more information on child passenger safety, please call (586) 412-3398 or email us now. |
Occasionally, parents can find the answers to their car seat questions in one or more of the fact sheets listed below. If you are still in need of additional information about a car seat or to have your car seat inspected, do not hesitate to contact one of our technicians.
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CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY FACT SHEETS Free and printable; basic need-to-know information on all stages of car seats and the different methods used to install car seats. |
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Over the last 7 years, the Child Passenger Safety Program has helped hundreds of parents and caregivers install and use their car seats safely. The statistics below underscore the continuing need for education and inspection of car seats, as the misuse rate for seats inspected at Macomb County Health Department is over 83%.
MCHD Child Passenger Safety Program Statistics |
YEAR |
TOTAL |
ADJUSTED TOTAL * |
INCORRECT |
CORRECT |
MISUSE RATE |
NEW INSTALLATIONS** |
| 2007-2008 | 340 | 233 | 189 | 44 | 81.1% | 107 |
| 2006-2007 | 295 | 192 | 141 | 51 | 73.4% | 103 |
2005-2006 |
264 |
202 |
151 |
51 |
74.7% |
62 |
2004-2005 |
315 |
262 |
226 |
36 |
86.2% |
53 |
2003-2004 |
485 |
406 |
359 |
47 |
88.4% |
79 |
2002-2003 |
472 |
400 |
341 |
59 |
85.3% |
72 |
2001-2002 |
281 |
207 |
174 |
33 |
84.0% |
74 |
CUMULATIVE |
2452 |
1902 |
1581 |
321 |
83.1% |
550 |
*Adjusted total = total car seats inspected - new installations.
**New car seat installations are not considered "correct" or "incorrect."
To schedule an appointment for a car seat inspection or to speak with a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, please call (586) 412-3398 or email us now. |
