PHOENIX –

JACQUELINE PULIDO/CRONKITE NEWS: Is your child’s car seat installed correctly? It could determine whether he or she survives a crash. Law enforcement agencies throughout the state just participated in events to help make sure your car seat will protect your child.

CYNTHIA PIERCE/PARENT: I found out one of my car seats was expiring, so they’re replacing it and I know that she’s going to be safe.

JACQUELINE PULIDO/CRONKITE NEWS: Cynthia Pierce is back in class. She’s just one of many parents taking the time to study up on how to use her car seats correctly.

ART WOOD/FIRE DEPARTMENT VOLUNTEER: Do you always wear your seatbelt? Because your kids are going to do what you do.

JACQUELINE PULIDO/CRONKITE NEWS:: Surprise Fire Department volunteer Art Wood says children don’t know right from wrong when it comes to being secured in their car seats, so it’s up to you to get it right.

There are many reasons why children die and get injured in car accidents each year, but one of the biggest reasons is that the child isn’t strapped into their car seat correctly . According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, other reasons include failure to read the car and car seat manuals.

ART WOOD/FIRE DEPARTMENT VOLUNTEER: The other thing is the car manual itself, it tells you how your car is built.

JACQUELINE PULIDO/CRONKITE NEWS: Often parents don’t want to make their child feel uncomfortable. And a loose car seat is among the most common mistakes. Lessons that parents are taking to heart. Something so simple…

CYNTHIA PIERCE/PARENT: Don’t be shy…. Good job.

JACQUELINE PULIDO/CRONKITE NEWS: … that can save a child’s life.

If you want to make sure your child’s car seat is installed correctly, many fire stations have trained crew members that can check your child’s seat. You can call your local fire station to make an appointment.