Keeping the car safe for kids Published Oct. 23, 2012 By Frank Carter 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- In an on-going effort to help keep infants and toddlers safe while in the car, the 82nd Medical Operations Squadron facilitated the training and certification of six new Child Passenger Safety Technicians. Child Passenger Safety Technicians are responsible for conducting car seat inspections to ensure children are safely secured inside the vehicle in the event of a vehicle accident, thereby reducing motor vehicle deaths and injuries to children passengers. "The majority of children's car seats, infant forward-facing, rear-facing or boosters seats are installed incorrectly," said Barbara Kernott, 82nd MDOS Family Advocacy office and Sheppard Child Passenger Safety Technician. "The best car seat is a car seat that will fit correctly in your vehicle and you use it correctly each and every time. It doesn't matter the brand, but you must install them properly." Texas AgriLife Extension Service Passenger Safety, in cooperation with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Wichita Falls United Trauma Services, conducted the three and a half day National Standardized Child Passenger Safety Certification training from October 23-26. The National Safety Council reports vehicle crashes remain the number one killer of children ages 3-14 in the United States. The most common problems are: using the right safety seat for a child's age and size, placing the seat in the wrong direction, installing the seat in relation to the air bags, improper tightness of restraints for the child and the seat itself and the use of defective or broken seats. For questions or to have a certified technician check your child's safety seat for correct installation, call Family Advocacy at (940) 676-2271. You can also visit http://passengersafety.tamu.edu and put in your city and state or zip code to find certified technicians in your area.