Sheriff's deputies to host child safety seat event

February 28, 2003

Washington County Sheriff's deputies will be on hand Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Valley Mall to explain and hand out literature on the changes in the Child Passenger Seat Safety laws that will become effective in October 2003.

Deputy 1st Class Jim Clay said he and other deputies will be ready to answer questions at the Washington County Sheriff's kiosk at the mall.

The new law for Maryland says that all children younger than 6 riding in a vehicle registered in the state of Maryland must ride in a correctly used child restraint system that meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

Child restraint systems include infant seats, convertible seats, forward-facing seats, booster seats or any other safety devices federally approved for use by children in motor vehicle.

The child restraint must be right for the child's size, age and weight.

Children who outgrow a car seat at around 40 pounds need to ride in a booster seat because the vehicle seat belts won't fit them well.

The law requires that children ride in booster seats up to age 6.

For more information, log on to www.carseat.org. or call 800-370-7328.

Previously scheduled for Feb. 15, the effort was postponed because of the recent record snowfall, Clay said.

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