Area agencies are partnering to ensure children’s car seats are safely installed.
The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Crawford County Health Department, and Pittsburg Police Department will host a drive-thru car seat check from 10 a.m. to noon on Monday, Sept. 16, in the Crawford County Health Department parking lot.
“We’re excited to work with the health department and police department to help families make sure their child’s seat is safely installed,” CHC/SEK Patient Education & Support Manager Julie Laverack says.
“Different agencies and programs working together helps to promote car seat safety in our community,” says Diann Gambill, Pittsburg Police Department lead family response advocate.
The technicians check if the car seats are correctly installed, the child is properly restrained, and the seats have not exceeded their expiration date or have been recalled.
According to Safe Kids Worldwide, correctly used child safety seats can reduce the risk of death by as much as 71 percent. That’s why Car Seat Certified Station Technicians advocate for families by providing them with additional information that could save their child’s life.
For more information about the upcoming event contact Diann Gambill at Pittsburg Police Department or Julie Laverack at CHC/SEK.
Hard Facts about Safety in Cars
Road injuries are the leading cause of preventable deaths and injuries to children in the United States. Correctly used child safety seats can reduce the risk of death by as much as 71 percent. More than half of car seats are not used or installed correctly.
Car seat safety tips
Buying the right car seat
Your baby needs to ride in a rear-facing car seat as long as possible until your baby is 2 or more years old. When your child has outgrown that seat, you are ready for a forward-facing car seat. Get more details about buying the right car seat for your child.
Installing your car seat
You’ll need to decide on using either the seat belt or lower anchors to secure your car seat. Both are safe, but don’t use them both at the same time. Once your child is forward facing, it is important to use the tether with the seat belt or lower anchors. Get more details about installing your car seat.
Getting the right fit
A properly fitted harness gives the best possible protection for your child. Here are more details about getting the right fit for your child.
When to change your car seat
Look on the car seat label to make sure your child is still within the weight, height and age limits for that seat. Get details about when to change your car seat.
(Information provided by Safe Kids World Wide)