Virtual Service Addresses Critical Car Seat Installation Problem Affecting Three-Fourths of U.S. Vehicles

Three out of four car seats on American roads today are installed incorrectly, creating significant safety risks for young passengers. This widespread problem has prompted the development of a new virtual service that allows parents and caregivers to connect with specially trained safety experts for proper car seat installation guidance. The free service enables users to meet virtually and confidentially with safety professionals at their convenience, directly from their own driveways.

For expectant parents like Ana, who is due in the spring, the service provides crucial peace of mind. She acknowledged the complexity of car seat installation and the importance of doing it correctly. The virtual format allows her to receive expert assistance using her cell phone from home, eliminating barriers to accessing professional help.

The initiative is supported by a grant from Buckle Up for Life to the National Safety Council. Gloria Del Castillo, senior specialist of community engagement for Buckle Up for Life, emphasized that parents often struggle to find reliable installation help. The program addresses this gap by connecting families with experts at their convenience, ensuring children's seats are properly secured.

Buckle Up for Life, a child passenger safety education program created by Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Toyota, works with communities nationwide and checks thousands of car seats annually. The program's importance is underscored by motor vehicle crashes remaining one of the leading causes of unintentional child deaths in the United States.

Rosana Rivera, a child passenger safety technician with NSC, described the virtual platform as transformative for child safety. The service eliminates geographical and scheduling barriers, allowing parents anywhere to connect with experts who can visually inspect their car seats and provide proper installation guidance. This accessibility ensures every parent can gain confidence in their ability to protect their children during vehicle travel.

Interested individuals can schedule virtual appointments through safety-connection.org, making professional car seat installation assistance available to families regardless of location or time constraints. The service represents a significant advancement in addressing the critical public safety issue of improper car seat installation that affects the majority of child passengers nationwide.