The in-person checks will be held Tuesday, Sept. 17
The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Public Health (OPH) is participating in Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Week from Sept. 15 to 21. The week is dedicated to helping parents and caregivers make sure their children ride in the car as safely as possible. This year’s theme is “Love Me, Buckle Me... Every Trip, Every Time, Every Vehicle.”
During National CPS Week, Montgomery County's certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPST) will host a free, in-person car seat check on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Limerick Fire Department, Limerick Station, 390 W. Ridge Pike, Limerick, PA 19468. Registration is required.
Motor vehicle crashes remain a leading killer of children. Many parents and caregivers believe their children are in a correctly installed restraint system, but data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that nearly half (46%) of car seats are misused.
A correctly selected and installed car seat or booster seat is essential when traveling on the road. According to NHTSA, car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and by 54% for toddlers in passenger cars. Whenever possible, all children younger than 13 years of age should ride buckled in the back seat, as airbags are designed for adults.
“We encourage parents and caregivers of young children to schedule a car seat check appointment with our certified CPSTs to ensure their child’s car seat or booster seat is installed correctly based on their age, weight, and height.” said Elizabeth Raum, community traffic safety program manager at Montgomery County OPH. “During the appointment, we also cover harnessing and proper fit, and other important safety information to prevent injury.”
More information about the Montgomery County Car Seat Check Program, including how to schedule a free in-person or virtual car seat check throughout the year can be found here or by emailing carseat@montgomerycountypa.gov. You can also call 1.800.CAR.BELT or visit the Pennsylvania Traffic Injury Prevention Project’s website for more information and to find a car seat check program near you.
Contact Community Traffic Safety Program Coordinator Laura Williamson for more information about hosting community traffic safety programming at schools, businesses, organizations, and community events. Topics include bikes, pedestrian and school bus safety; proper seat belt fit and use; and teen and mature driver and child passenger safety.
