DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Federal data shows that in recent car crashes, more than half of children are not properly buckled in.

The Macon County Health Department is stepping up to teach families how to ensure their kids get to their destination safely.

"Even the most well-intentioned parents are making a lot of mistakes," Karen House, a trained car seat technician, said.

In 2024, 32 children under the age of 14 died in Illinois Traffic Crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. House said there are ways to reduce the risk of deadly injuries. State law requires children to be rear-facing in a vehicle until the age of two.

"Some mistakes we see again are the belt not tightened correctly. A lot of parents are also turning their children around too early. The

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