Car accidents are the leading cause of death to children over three years old... and many of these deaths could be prevented if the child was in the proper car seat. To learn a little bit more about car seat safety, we sent Patriot Health Reporter Mayci McLeod to a car seat safety class.

According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, only about 3-percent of 1to 3 year-olds use the proper car seat, and only about 10-percent of 8 to 10 year-olds are in the proper booster seat. It is the law in the state of Georgia for a child to be in a car seat or booster seat until they are 4 feet and 9 inches tall. Those children must also ride in the backseat until at least age 8. Any car which gets pulled over with an incorrectly installed seat could receive a ticket and a fine. According to Car Seat Safety Technicians... it can be a lifesaver. It is also important to make sure your car seat is properly installed... and you read the instruction manual.

The Houston County Health Department offers a free car seat safety course to any parents who want to make sure their child is in the proper seat, and it is installed correctly. The Health Department has also received a grant from Safe Kids which enables them to give away car seats to people who attend the class and cannot afford one.Marnay Harris attended the course today with her son Harrison. She says this class was very beneficial. Harrison is leaving the Health Department today with a brand new car seat... which his mother says he will be very excited about.

To get your cars seat inspected you can stop by the Houston County Health Department anytime.. or call and sign up for the monthly car seat safety course.

In addition to getting your car seat checked at the Health Department, local fire departments, police departments, and sheriff's offices also have car seat safety technicians on hand to inspect car seat installation.