Car seats are life savers when used correctly, but sometimes parents need a few pointers. Be sure you’re using the right car seat in the right way at the Chatham County Health Department’s free car seat check event Friday, February 24, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the clinic at 1395 Eisenhower Drive.
According to Safe Kids Worldwide, more than half of car seats are not installed or used correctly. At this event, parents can find out if they’re using the correct car seat for their child’s age and size, if the seat is installed properly, and if the harness fits well. When used correctly, child safety seats can reduce the risk of death from road injuries by as much as 71 percent.
“Kids spend a lot of time riding in cars, and child safety seats have made car travel so much safer,” said Chatham County Health Department Nurse Manager, Dr. Sierra Peebles. “But as our kids grow and change, they need different types of seats installed in different ways. It’s not easy to keep up, but that’s how we can help.”
The car seat safety checks are the culmination of a training event being sponsored by the health department for Child Passenger Safety Technicians. Each technician must complete a one-on-one child safety seat inspection as part of their certification.
“We’re hoping for a great turnout at the car seat safety check event so our technicians can cement what they’ve learned in training,” said Dr. Peebles. “The more certified technicians we have the greater impact we can make on child safety, so this is a win for us and for the community.”
For more information about the car seat safety, view the Safe Kids Ultimate Car Seat Guide.
