NORWAY — Stephens Memorial Hospital and The Family Birthplace are celebrating Child Passenger Safety Week, Sept. 14-20.

Car crashes are the number one killer of children 1 to 12 years old in the United States. The best way to protect a child is to put them in the right seat, at the right time, and use it the right way. Restraint use among young children often depends upon the driver’s seat belt use. Almost 40 percent of children riding with unbelted drivers were themselves unrestrained.

Maine law states that children:

* Birth through age 2 should ride rear-facing until they reach the upper weight or height limits of the seat.

* Ages 2-4 should ride in a forward-facing child safety seat with a harness until they reach the upper weight or height limits of the seat. Many newer seats have higher weight limits so check the instruction booklet.

* Ages 4-8 or until 4’9″ tall should ride in a booster seat, either high-back or regular.

* After age 8 and/or 4’9″ tall a child may use a seat belt as long as the lap belt lays across the upper thighs (not stomach) and shoulder belt crosses the chest (not neck).

*All children should ride in the back seat, preferably middle position, until age 13.

Stephens Memorial Hospital is an inspection and distribution site for car seats in the state of Maine. As a distribution site, SMH is authorized to provide car seats and boosters to families at no cost if they meet the State financial requirements.

A safety seat inspection event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at PACE located at Stephens Memorial Hospital. The event is open to anyone.

The Car Seat Distribution program is scheduled by appointment only. Call 207-743-1562, ext. 6955, for more information.