OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Our children are precious. Every time we get in a car, it’s our job as parents and guardians to make sure they are protected.  National Child Passenger Safety Week is underway through Sept. 21.

During National Child Passenger Safety Week, AAA and the National Safety Council are raising awareness about child seat safety. A new study from AAA shows a concerning issue: a lot of parents are moving their kids to booster seats or regular seatbelts way too early, which could endanger them in car crashes. In Florida, a large number of parents are making these changes too soon.

AAA stresses that parents need to know how important it is to use the correct type of restraint as their child grows. Using the right car seats, booster seats, and seatbelts can greatly lower the chances of injuries and deaths in an accident.

To keep your child safe:

1. Choose the correct car seat based on your child’s age, weight, and height.
2. Follow installation instructions carefully and seek professional help if needed.
3. Have your car seat inspected regularly to ensure it’s used correctly.
4. Make sure safety belts fit your child properly each time.
5. Register your car seat to receive important safety updates and recall notices.

Remember, children should remain rear facing for as long as possible until they outgrow the seat’s limits, according to AAA. Once they exceed the weight limit, switch them to a forward-facing seat with a harness. After that, AAA says to use a booster seat until they are tall enough to use adult seat belts.

AAA advises that children stay in a safety seat until they reach a height of 4’9″ and can pass the “Seat Belt Fit Test.” This helps make sure the seatbelt fits properly to keep the child safe during an accident.

If your child’s knees don’t bend at the seat’s edge, if their feet can’t reach the floor, if the lap belt isn’t tight across their hips, or if the shoulder belt goes over their face or neck, they need to keep using a car seat or booster seat until they are taller, states AAA.

Where to get your car seat inspected in the 352:

Alachua County
Gainesville Fire Rescue
1026 Northeast 14th Street
Gainesville, FL 32601

Contact: Krista Ott
Phone: 352.393.8455

Appointment Needed: Yes

Days of Operation: Monday–Thursday
Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Healthy Start
204 West University Avenue
3rd Floor, Suite B
Gainesville, FL 32601

Contact: Kasey Brooks
Phone: 352.337.1200

Appointment Needed: Yes
Days of Operation: Weekdays
Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Multi-Lingual: Spanish

Hernando County
Catholic Charities DOSP/Foundations of Life Pregnancy Center
8370 Forest Oaks Boulevard
Spring Hill, FL 34606

Contact: Jeanne Whitely
Phone: 352.686.9897 Ext 5506 or 727.401.1326
Email: jwhitely@ccdosp.org

Appointment Needed: Yes

Virtual Assistance Available: Yes
Walk-Ins Welcome: Yes
Days of Operation: Monday – Friday
Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., after hours as needed

Healthy Start Hernando County
329 West Jefferson St.
Brooksville, FL 32601

Contact: Diana Martinez
Phone: 352.418.7152
Email: infohshernando@kidscentralinc.org

Appointment Needed: Yes

Walk-Ins Welcome: Yes
Days of Operation: Weekdays
Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Donation Requested: Yes
Multi-Lingual: Spanish

Lake County
Healthy Start Lake County
708 Lee Street
Leesburg, FL 34748

Contact: Jessica Weiss
Phone: 352.314.6933
Email: infohslake@kidscentralinc.org

Appointment Needed: Yes

Virtual Assistance Available: Yes
Walk-Ins Welcome: Yes
Days of Operation: Monday – Friday
Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Donation Requested: Yes
Multi-Lingual: Spanish

Lake County Sheriff’s Office
15855 State Road 50
Clermont, FL 34711

Contact: Linda Thompson
Phone: 352.742.3600
Email: linda.thompson@lcso.org

Appointment Needed: Yes

Days of Operation: Weekdays
Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Leesburg Fire Department
201 South Canal Street
Leesburg, FL 34748

Contact: Denys Neff / Amanda Stevenson
Phone: 352.728.9780
Email: denys.neff@leesburgflorida.gov

Appointment Needed: Yes

Days of Operation: Monday-Friday
Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Levy County
Levy County Health Department
66 West Main Street
Bronson, FL 32621

Contact: Leslie Olavarria / Zulma Rivas
Phone: 352.577.6051 or 352.577.6040
Email: leslie.olavarria@flhealth.gov; zulma.rivas@flhealth.gov

Appointment Needed: Yes

Days of Operation: Weekdays
Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Marion County
Early Learning Coalition of Marion County
2300 Southwest 17th Road Ocala, FL 34471

Contact: Juan Diaz
Phone: 352.369.2315
Email: diaz@elc-marion.org

Appointment Needed: Yes
Days of Operation: Tuesday and Wednesday
Hours of Operation: 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Florida Department of Health in Marion County
1801 Southeast 32nd Avenue
Ocala, FL 34471

Contact: Nicole Brickhouse or Tracy Sapp
Phone: 352.644.2751 or 352.644.2721
Email: Nicole.Brickhouse@flhealth.gov

Appointment Needed: Yes

Days of Operation: Monday – Friday
Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Multi-Lingual: Spanish

Sumter County
Sumter County Healthy Start
1425 South US 301
Sumterville, FL 33585

Contact: Teresa Tute
Phone: 352.569.2959

Days of Operation: Monday – Friday
Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Sumter County Sheriff’s Office
7361 Powell Rd
Wildwood, FL 34785

Contact: Beth Hunt
Phone: 352.571.0016
Email: bhunt@sumterso.org

Appointment Needed: Yes

Days of Operation: Monday – Friday
Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Multi-Lingual: Spanish

Sumter County Health Department
415 E Noble Ave
Bushnell, FL 33513

Contact: Chloe Castrodad
Phone: 352.569.3102
Email: chloe.castrodad@flhealth.gov