COURT HOUSE — The Atlantic and Cape May Counties Chapter of Safe Kids, of which AtlantiCare is the lead agency, conducts free child safety seat inspections, or “check-ups,” every month in partnership with the Atlantic County and Cape May County Sheriff's offices.

Burke Chevrolet, 516 Stone Harbor Boulevard, will hold a car seat check on Aug. 21, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (third Saturday of each month).

AtlantiCare and Safe Kids encourage parents and caregivers, especially expecting parents three weeks prior to their due date, to visit a checkpoint to learn about proper installation. In the event of inclement weather, the child safety seat inspections will take place indoors.

In New Jersey, all children under the age of eight or under 80 pounds must ride in an approved child safety seat. Infants should always ride rear facing while traveling in a vehicle. Infants should remain rear facing until they reach the highest weight and height limits of the seat they are in and should never be turned forward facing before they are at least 12 months of age and over 20 pounds.

Nationally, approximately 30 percent of children ages four and under still ride unrestrained; and of those children who are buckled up, four out of five are not restrained correctly.

The Car Seat Check-up program is part of Safe Kids Buckle Up, a national program developed through a partnership with the National Safe Kids Campaign and General Motors. Its aim is to educate parents and caregivers about the importance of properly restraining children for every ride.

For more information about the Car Seat Check-ups or to learn about certified child safety seat inspectors in your community, please call the AtlantiCare Access Center at 1-888-569-1000.