Bluffton fire district to host free car seat safety checks Sept. 22nd and 24th

The Bluffton Township Fire District will host two free car seat safety check events during Child Passenger Safety Week, Sept. 21st–27th, giving parents and caregivers the chance to confirm that their children are riding as safely as possible.

The events are scheduled for Monday, Sept. 22nd, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Station 30, 199 Burnt Church Road, and Wednesday, Sept. 24th, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Station 38, 260 Raider Drive.

Certified child passenger safety technicians will provide individualized instruction, checking for recalls and expiration dates, confirming proper fit for each child and demonstrating correct installation. Each appointment takes about 30 minutes and includes hands-on practice for parents and caregivers.

Car crashes remain one of the leading causes of death for children in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for infants under 1 and by 54 percent for toddlers ages 1 to 4 riding in passenger cars.

But research also shows that nearly half of car seats, 46 percent, are installed incorrectly. Common mistakes include seats that are too loosely attached, failure to use the tether strap on forward-facing seats, and harness straps that are not snug enough to properly secure the child.

“Unfortunately, many parents are overconfident about their car seats,” said Stephen Combs, public information officer for the Bluffton Township Fire District. “Even experienced parents can get it wrong, and the results can be devastating. These events give families the opportunity to get it right, with guidance from certified technicians.”

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to make appointments to ensure personalized attention, although drive-ups will be accepted as time allows. Families should bring both the car seat instruction manual and the vehicle owner’s manual to the event.

If a child cannot attend, caregivers should provide the child’s age, height and weight so technicians can properly adjust the seat.

The events are part of Child Passenger Safety Week, a national initiative led by NHTSA to raise awareness about the importance of correctly using car seats, booster seats and seat belts. Local fire and police departments, hospitals and safety organizations participate across the country.

Bluffton’s events are intended not only for new parents but also for grandparents, babysitters and other caregivers who may transport children. Safety officials note that even if a seat was installed correctly years ago, changes in vehicles, seat models or a child’s size can make re-checks important.

“Every car seat has its own quirks, and every car is different,” Combs said. “The only way to be sure is to have it checked.”

Appointments for Bluffton’s free car seat safety checks can be scheduled online at CarSeats.BlufftonFD.com. More information about national child passenger safety initiatives is available through NHTSA.gov.