Car Seat Safety Inspection

There is a shocking statistic floating around the internet that about 75% (thanks for the correction Sally) of car seats are installed improperly! I don’t know if this statistic is accurate, but it was enough to get me thinking. There are different car seat safety laws for each state and a whole host of car seats on the market. I can’t tell you what car seat to buy – that’s your decision, but I can tell you that there are car seat inspection stations throughout the country. If you think your car seat might be installed improperly (or if you’re like me and just want to be 100% sure it’s in right), there are a few things you can do.
You can call your local fire department or police station to ask if they know where the nearest car seat inspection station is, you can look on your community’s website to see if it’s listed there, or you can access the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration’s car seat inspection location website.
Local town websites are on this blog entry:
Here.
Also, as an update to an earlier & similar entry (Here), the CT car seat law is now 8 years old & 80 pounds. It used to be 6 years and 60 pounds. New York is still 6 & 60, but CT is now stricter.

Car Seats

If you have a child under 60lbs or under 6yrs or both, it will behoove you to read the information on the following websites:
CT Department of Transportation – Child Safety Seats — This website spells out the laws regarding child safety seats. It also has a list of other resources with information about child safety seats.
National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration — This site will enable you to locate a car seat inspection station near you. It’s a free service and will provide you with peace of mind knowing that your child’s car seat is installed properly.
CT Safe Kids — This site has general information about keeping your children safe (bicycle, car, skateboard, rollerblade, etc).

Rails to Trails

If you enjoy walks around town but prefer the scenery of a hike, I’ve been told this is the ideal compromise!

Ridgefield has a trail that used to be an old railway track.

There is a national organization that lists all the trails. It’s called TrailLink. You can enter search criteria and find a suitable trail for you and your family and friends!
The organization that helps create the Rails to Trails program has a website here

Please let me know what you think of the different trails – I’d really like to know which area trails are preferred! I am especially curious to know which trails are “stroller-friendly” and which ones aren’t.