During Child Passenger Safety Week, the Ad Council and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) debuted a new campaign, “Love Protects,” in support of their larger child car safety campaign.

The goal is to remind parents and caregivers of children 14 and younger that loving and protecting their children includes making sure they are in the right car or booster seat for their age and size.

“It’s crucial that parents and caregivers prepare to protect their children from injury or death in the event of a crash,” said NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman, in a news release. “Taking a few moments to make sure your child is properly secured in the appropriate car seat, booster seat, or seatbelt can save a child’s [life]. Our campaign with the Ad Council continues to provide parents and caregivers vital, life-saving information.”

The campaign directs audiences to NHTSA.gov/TheRightSeat for more information on correctly securing children in vehicles.

NHTSA also provided a checklist in a separate news release:

• • Learn about the four types of car seats, find out which car seat is appropriate for a child based on their age and size, and compare car seats and find ease-of-use ratings at NHTSA.gov/CarSeatsAndBoosterSeats.
  • Make sure to get familiar with vehicle and car seat parts before installation, follow the vehicle and car seat installation instructions carefully, and visit the nearest car seat inspection station to ensure the car seat is installed correctly.
  • Register car seats and booster seats to be notified of any safety recalls.
  • Plan to use the appropriate car seat or booster seat when traveling and riding in taxis or ride-share vehicles.
  • Resist the urge to transition a child into the next car seat or booster seat before they have outgrown their current seat. Check “The Right Seat” for NHTSA’s recommendations.
  • Remember that older kids need the right seat, too. Many kids ages 8-12 years old still need to use booster seats, and the safest place for all children under 13 is the back seat.
  • Make sure children are buckled up correctly for every trip and to be a good role model by also buckling up every trip.
  • Never leave a child alone in a vehicle, even for a minute. Take immediate action and call 911 if a child is found alone in a vehicle.
  • Report a Safety Problem to NHTSA if a car seat is suspected of having a defect or not meeting federal regulations.

For repairers, it’s important to inform customers that car or booster seats involved in collisions could be damaged and may need to be replaced.

“The Ad Council is honored to continue our life-saving collaboration with NHTSA, making sure children and youth are safe on America’s roadways,” said Michelle Hillman, Ad Council chief campaign development officer, in the release. “We’re reminding parents and caregivers that one way to demonstrate their love for their children is making sure they’re safe, like double-checking their child is correctly secured in a car seat, booster seat or seat belt that is appropriate for their age and size.”

Motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of death for children under 14, showing the critical need for parents and caregivers to make sure their children are in the right seat for their age and size. When used effectively, car seats can reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers, according to NHTSA and the Ad Council.

In addition to the new “Love Protects” PSA, NHTSA and the Ad Council have teamed up with Second Chance Productions for its upcoming animated movie “Gracie & Pedro: Pets to the Rescue” to extend the child car safety message.

The animated family film takes audiences on a journey packed with mischief, humor, and heart to remind us that friendship isn’t just life’s greatest reward — it’s the ultimate adventure while also encouraging kids and adults to buckle up, the release says. The movie premieres Oct. 18 featuring the voices of Susan Sarandon, Bill Nighy, Brooke Shields, Danny Trejo, Alicia Silverstone, and Al Franken.

Child Passenger Safety Week concludes with National Seat Check Saturday on Sept. 21. Parents and caregivers can receive free car seat checks and instructions on correctly installing and using the right car seats for their kids.

This year, there are nearly 5,000 registered car seat inspection stations nationwide where families can go to receive hands-on education from a certified child passenger safety technician. For more information on safe car seat practices and to find a local car seat inspection station, visit NHTSA’s website.

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