With new child passenger rules in effect, it's surprising to hear that many parents aren't properly installing the uber-important safety gear.

The most common mistake? According to car-seat advocate Capt. Chuck Hirata of the Maui Police Department, it's a seat that's too loose.

"If the car takes a corner and you see the seat move, that's too loose," he said.

In charge of the traffic section for 10 years, Hirata felt driven to preach about adequate child safety.

"That's my therapy, I guess," Hirata said. "You see a lot of injuries and deaths that are preventable."

As the parent of a college-age daughter, Hirata knows the trick is to start kids early in car seats — and to be consistent.

"Like a dog whisperer, you gotta be firm and consistent," he said, with a laugh. "You need to be pack leader."

When it comes to the kind of car seat, Advertiser 'Ohana columnist Monica Quock Chan has a favorite: "Everyone I know has the Graco SnugRide, which also has been highly rated for safety."

SAFETY-SEAT INSPECTIONS

Is the child safety-seat properly installed? Have an expert check it out. You must bring your child, the car seat and the car; allow 30 minutes per seat for inspection.

Upcoming checkup dates:

April 7: Army Community Services at Schofield Barracks (Carole Moreno, 433-6434), 9 a.m.-noon.

April 21: Pearl Harbor Bloch Arena parking lot (Chet Adessa, 474-1999, ext. 6102), 2-5 p.m.

Other events and information are listed on the Keiki Injury Prevention coalition Web site: www.kipchawaii.org. Or call 537-9200.

CAR-SEAT NO-NOS