Pediatricians have done a good

job spreading the word about the Academy's recommendations, and the

statistics show parents are listening. The number of fatal accidents involving

children dropped from 2,603 in 2001 to 2,542 in 2002.

"We are very heartened

is still room for improvement if every child is to travel safely on our

roadways," said Martin.

"Despite their best intentions,

parents don't always install the seats properly," said Beyer.

In the "New Parents" section of its Web site, Farmers Insurance

has numerous tips regarding the proper installation of car seats.

Infant seats

- Must be used in a rear

facing position until child is at least 12 months old and weighs at least

20 pounds.

- Never place this type

of seat in front of an airbag. The preferred location is in the back seat

in the middle of the car.

- Never hold your baby

in your lap when the vehicle is in motion.

- Your child's head

should be at least 1 inch below the top of the child seat.

- Rear facing infant seats

reduce the risk of fatal injury in a car crash by 71 percent.

Toddler seats

- Should be in the forward

facing position for children between 20 and 40 pounds and over 1 year

of age.

- When using the seat

in a forward-facing position, always use the highest of the three sets

of slots provided with this seat for the harness.

- If using this seat in

a rear-facing position, the harness should come out of the center or lowest

slots.

- The harness should fit

snugly with room for no more than one finger between the harness and your

child's collarbone.

- Forward-facing safety

seats for toddlers reduce the fatality risk by 54 percent.

Booster seats

- Use forward facing only.

- High-back booster with

built-in harness: for children between 30 and 40 pounds. Harness should

be replaced by adult lap and shoulder belt when child reaches 40 pounds.

- Belt positioning booster

seats: for children between 40 and 80 pounds and up to four feet nine

inches. Never use with only the lap belt - use with shoulder and

adult lap belt together. Shoulder belt should cross chest, never over

stomach. Make sure belt fastens without extra slack.

Another common mistake parents

can make is not properly securing the seat itself in their vehicle. It

is estimated that 8 out of 10 seats on American roads are improperly installed.

Seat Check, a national organization that works with Toys R Us, the NHTSA,

and several other sponsors holds regular free inspection clinics that

can give parents piece of mind.

To find a child seat inspection

station in your area, log onto www.seatcheck.org, or call (866) SEATCHECK.

You can find car seat installation and other child safety advice on the

Farmers Insurance Web site: www.farmers.com.

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