Child safety urged

The federal government is pushing proper use of child car seats beginning this month -- National Baby Safety Month.

A three-year plan to create a universal, easy-to-use child seat was implemented Wednesday, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has joined Children's World Learning Centers to educate parents on the proper use of restraints.

A list of child-seat safety tips has been published by the agency and the Colorado-based company, which provides early childhood and elementary educational programs.

"People take it for granted that when they have a child they know how to hook up a child seat," Jennie Keller, spokeswoman for Children's World Learning Centers, said. However, "nearly 85 percent of safety seats are used incorrectly."

As a mother, Keller said she learned valuable information from the research. Even though every state requires that children ride in car seats or use a safety belt, more children are killed in car crashes than in any other type of accident, she said.

Keller said parents can take precautions by following these safety tips:

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