Free car seat checks to be held Sept. 15-21

(KBSI) – Several safety advocates will host free car seat check event throughout southeast Missouri as part of Child Passenger Safety Week from September 15-21.

Almost 46% of car seats and booster seats are used incorrectly, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Parents and caregivers with small children can ensure their car seats are installed correctly by visiting an inspection station throughout the area. Locations include in Cape Girardeau, Licking, Marble Hill, Mountain Grove, Perryville, Poplar Bluff, Sikeston, Van Buren and West Plains.

Car seat check events

Wednesday, September 18
1-5 p.m.
Carter County Health Department
573-323-4413
1611 Health Center Dr.
Van Buren, MO 63965

Thursday, September 19
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Perry County Healty Department
406 N Spring St., # 1
Perryville, MO 63775

Saturday, September 21

9-11 a.m.
Carter County Health Department
1611 Health Center Drive
Van Buren, MO

9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Poplar Bluff Fire Department
300 S Broadway Street
Poplar Bluff, MO

9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Bollinger County Health Department
107 MO-51
Marble Hill, MO

9:30a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Cape Girardeau Fire Station #1
1 S Sprigg Street
Cape Girardeau, MO

10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Missouri Bootheel Regional Consortium
River Birch Mall
905 S Kingshighway
Sikeston, MO

Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will provide education, perform car seat inspections, review expiration dates, discuss car seat installation, usage and car seat recalls. Checks take an average of 30 minutes to complete.

Motor vehicle injuries are a leading cause of death among children in the United States. Howeber, many of those deaths can be prevented. Always buckling children in age- and size-appropriate car seats, booster seats, and seat belts reduces serious injuries and death by up to 80%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Quick Tips for Families:

• Wear your seat belt: Be sure everyone else in the car buckles up, too. When adults wear seat belts, kids use car seats, booster seats and seat belts. Set a good example and buckle up every ride, every time.
• Place kids under 13 in a back seat: It’s the safest place for them to ride.
• Never leave your child alone in a car, even for a minute: A car can heat up 19 degrees in just 10 minutes.
• Make sure your child is riding safely. Visit a car seat check event to see if you are using your car seat correctly. Common errors include a loose harness, not using the seat belt or LATCH system to properly secure a car seat, failing to correctly use the tether and being unaware of the risks of using a second-hand car seat or booster. A certified child passenger safety technician can help you protect your child.