It’s National Child Passenger Safety Week, Attend the FREE Northland Child Seat Clinic Today [VIDEO]

More children die in motor vehicle crashes than from all childhood diseases combined. In the past 10 years, 71 children ages 0-7 were killed, of those only 34% were properly restrained. It's National Child Passenger Safety Week, take the time to get your car seat  checked for free.  The few minutes you take out of your life now, may save the life of your child in the future.

Car seats and booster seats are required by law in the state of Minnesota.  What are booster seats?  They lift the child and it helps the seat belt fit correctly.  Children should ride in a booster after they have outgrown a forward facing restraint and until they are 4'9" or at least age 8.  Kids should ride in the back until age 13.

Since this week is National Child Passenger Safety Week, it's an ideal time for parents to make sure their child is riding in the correct seat and that the seat is installed properly.  Here's how you can get answers.  The Duluth Fire Department conducts a child seat clinic on a monthly basis it's FREE.   The clinic is held the third Thursday every month at the main Duluth Fire Station, 602 West 2nd Street from 11:00a  to 1:00 pm. No appointment necessary, it's first come, first served.

Common Child Passenger Safety Mistakes

• Turning a child from a rear-facing restraint to a forward-facing restraint too soon. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) now recommends keeping children rear-facing until 2 years old if possible.
• Restraint is not secured tight enough — it should not shift more than one inch side-to-side or out from the seat.
• Harness on the child is not tight enough — if you can pinch harness material, it’s too loose.
• Retainer clip is up too high or too low — should be at the child’s armpit level.
• The child is in the wrong restraint — don’t rush your child into a seat belt.