Being a parent is challenging, and it can be hard assuring you are keeping your child as safe as possible.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that nearly half of all car seats are installed incorrectly, despite parents having confidence that they know how to safely install their car seat. Their website states, “Correctly installed car seats can reduce the risk of fatal injury in a passenger car crash by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers.”
“[It’s important to] keep the child safe while the parent is travelling. Accidents happen. If the child is placed properly in the car seat, it can save their life if they were potentially in an accident,” said Toneka Smith, Washtenaw County Community Engagement CSO.
This is why the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department, in conjunction with the Ypsilanti Township Neighborhood watch, hosts car seat safety check-ins every other month. At these check-ins, a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician will evaluate if you have a car seat that is safe for your child, confirm that the car seat has been safely installed, and teach parents how to reinstall the seat safely.
Smith told The Eastern Echo that if eligible, recalled car seats can be replaced with brand new ones through the State of Michigan.
These check-ins apply to anyone who uses infant, convertible, or booster seats in their car. For details on car-seat safety, visit Michigan State Police’s website.
The safety check-ins take place on Saturdays at the following dates and locations:
- July 11 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m
- Ypsilanti District Library: 5577 Whittaker Rd. Ypsilanti, MI
- September 12 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Grace Fellowship Community Life Center: 1375 S. Harris Rd. Ypsilanti, MI
- November 14 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Grace Fellowship Community Life Center: 1375 S. Harris Rd. Ypsilanti, MI
Those who are not able to attend the check-ins or need extra support can schedule a private consultation by calling the Sheriff’s Department at (734) 478-3719, emailing Smith at smitht@washtenaw.org, or visit their local fire station.
