Police Offer Free Child Car Seat Checks

The Dunwoody Police Department will check child car seats to ensure they are properly installed at no cost to parents.

The check will be offered Friday, April 18, at Kingswood United Methodist Church, 5015 Tilly Mill Road in Dunwoody, according to the city’s website. Certified child passenger safety technicians will be on hand from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to check car seats for proper installation and advise parents and caregivers on how to choose the right car seats and install them properly in their vehicles. 

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13. Crash data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for 2010 shows that about 2 children 12 or younger were killed and 325 were injured each day in passenger vehicles.

“I am pleased our department is able to offer this life-saving service to the community,” said Dunwoody Police Chief Billy Grogan. “I am hopeful we will have a lot of participation. For those who are unable to attend this event, we offer this service by appointment. Please see our website for more details.”

While 96 percent of parents and caregivers believe their child safety seats are installed correctly, research shows that 7 out of 10 children are improperly restrained, according to www.seatcheck.org.

Remember:

• Select a car seat based on your child’s age and size, choose a seat that fits in your vehicle, and use it on every trip, every time.
• Always refer to your specific car seat manufacturer’s instructions; read the vehicle owner’s manual on how to install the car seat using the seat belt or LATCH system; and check height and weight limits.
• To maximize safety, keep your child in the car seat for as long as possible, as long as the child fits within the manufacturer’s height and weight requirements.
• Keep your child in the back seat at least through age 12.

You may register at the event to win a Safety 1st BoostApak car seat/bookbag, a $70 value, donated by North Atlanta Memorial Park.

For more information, contact Officer Tim Fecht at 678.382.6917, or timothy.fecht@dunwoodyga.gov.