Free car seat checks offered
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News from the Montana Department of Transportation
POLSON – Child passenger safety technicians will inspect car seats for correct model, size and installation at Walmart in Polson, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19. Inspections will take place in the parking lot at 36318 Memory Lane during Safety Days at Walmart.
Car seat inspections are critical because most car seats are not properly installed, according to Diana Schwab, who is organizing the event on behalf of the Lake County Buckle Up Montana Coalition. Certified child passenger safety technicians report that about 75 to 80 percent or four out of five car seats checked are not installed properly.
Parents and caregivers with children from newborn up to eight years of age should plan to bring their vehicle, the car seat, and if possible, the child who uses it. Technicians will check the seat for elements critical to the safety of the child. These include: secure installation; proper harness adjustment; manufacturer’s size and weight limits; and whether or not the seat is on a recall list.
During the inspection, technicians will answer questions about choosing the right car seat and when children should graduate to the next car seat.
“Car seats are engineered to protect children from severe or fatal injuries in a crash, but the car seat only works if it’s used correctly. Properly installing the seats can be more complicated than most parents are aware,” Schwab said.
Those who aren’t able to attend to the Sept. 19 inspection can contact Schwab at 406-883-7341 to make an appointment. The Buckle Up Montana Coalitions are funded through the Montana Department of Transportation.
Safety guidelines for child passengers are available at www.buckleup.mt.gov/children.shtml or www.safercar.gov/parents/Car-Seat-Safety.html. Child passenger safety is one element of a collaborative effort to reach Vision Zero — zero deaths and zero serious injuries on Montana roadways. See MDT’s website http://www.mdt.mt.gov/visionzero/about.shtml for more information about this initiative.
MDT attempts to provide accommodations for any known disability that may interfere with a person participating in any service, program, or activity of the Department. If you require reasonable accommodations to participate in this event, please contact Pam Buckman at 406-444-0809 at least two days prior to the event. For the hearing impaired the TTY number is 406-444-7696, or 1-800-335-7592 or call Montana Relay at 711. Alternative accessible formats of this information will be made available upon request.
