National Safe Kids Campaign Public Service announcements. Airing nationwide beginning this week 30 to 60 seconds

Lucky are those parents who happen to catch one of the new public service announcements debuting during Child Passenger Safety Week, which ends Saturday. The sponsoring National Safe Kids Campaign is hoping the messages address what has become a major public health problem in the United States: the incorrect use of child car seats. According to recent studies, four of five car seats are installed incorrectly. And too many children are still allowed to ride unrestrained or in the front seat, where they are at higher risk of injury in an accident.

These PSAs are beautifully conceived. In one version, singer Sarah McLachlan performs her touching single “I Will Remember You,” while pictures of children killed in car accidents are shown--along with the excuses their parents gave for not having them in car seats. It’s heartbreaking. Other messages focus on placing an infant in a rear-facing seat and having all children ride in the back seat. A free video and brochure on using car seats correctly can be obtained by calling (800) 441-1888.