Keeping your family safe on the road is a big priority and with the weather getting worse as we head into winter, safety is even more important.
Today we're launching operation child seat safety.
CBS 2's Brittney Hibbs explains how to make sure your child is safe before those winter conditions set in.

Car crashes are the number one killer of kids under 14. It's not because kids aren't buckled up but rather 3 out of 4 car seats are not installed correctly. And adult sized seat belts do not always protect young kids when in an accident. Just look at this video of a child dummy wearing an adult seatbelt in a booster chair and compare that to the child harnessed in a car seat.

Iowa law requires that kids under the age of 1 be in a rear facing car seat.
While children under the age of six be in a car or booster seat.
And all kids under 11 must be buckled up with a seatbelt or booster seat.

But how do you know if your child is safely buckled?
Well, that depends on each car and each child.

Nicky Stansell with the Cedar Rapids fire department recommends getting your car seat tested at a local site by a professional to ensure your child seat is safe.

"This is a good way to make sure that your seat is going to be safe in the car just to double check and make sure that it is good."

She says not only it is a free service but it could save a life.

"Operation child seat safety" is here at CBS 2. We'll have professionals from the Linn County Safe Kids Coalition check your installation and re-install your car seat if needed. Just stop by Broadcast Park at 600 Old Marion Rd NE, this afternoon from 3 " 6:30.
Operation Child Seat Safety