Looking for peace of mind when it comes to your child’s safety on the road? Join us for an important community initiative that could make all the difference in Norristown, a short drive from Blue Bell, Pennsylvania! The Pennsylvania State Police have teamed up with local organizations to offer expert guidance on one of the most critical aspects of child safety – proper car seat installation.
This upcoming event presents a great opportunity for parents, grandparents, and caregivers to ensure our youngest community members are traveling as safely as possible.
Car seat safety checks are a simple step that can have life-saving implications, yet many families don’t realize their car seats might not be installed correctly. Professional inspection can identify problems you may not even be aware of, giving you confidence that your child is properly protected every time you get behind the wheel. Best of all, this valuable service is being offered completely free of charge to our community members.
- Source: elmwoodparkzoo.org
Mark your calendars for our upcoming Car Seat Safety Check Event taking place in the Elmwood Park Zoo parking lot! This free community service is being provided through a special partnership with the Pennsylvania State Police, who will have certified child passenger safety technicians on hand to inspect your car seats. No appointment is necessary – simply drive up during the event hours, and the officers will check that your child’s car seat is properly installed and suitable for their age, height, and weight.
During the safety check, expect a detailed examination of your car seat installation by trained professionals. The inspection typically takes about 20-30 minutes per car seat. Officers will demonstrate correct installation techniques, answer any questions you might have, and provide guidance on when it’s time to transition to the next type of seat.
They’ll also check for recalls and verify that your car seat hasn’t expired. This hands-on learning opportunity ensures you’ll leave with both a properly installed seat and the knowledge to reinstall it correctly if needed.
The importance of proper car seat installation cannot be overstated. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car crashes are a leading cause of death for children ages 1-13, yet nearly 46% of car seats and booster seats are used incorrectly, reducing their effectiveness. A correctly installed car seat can reduce the risk of fatal injury by up to 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers. These sobering statistics highlight why professional car seat checks are such a valuable resource for every family with young children.
Common installation mistakes include using the wrong seat for your child’s age and size, incorrect harness positioning, improper recline angles for rear-facing seats, and loose installations that allow too much movement. Children should start in rear-facing seats until they reach the maximum height or weight limit of that seat, typically around age 2-4.
They should then use forward-facing seats with harnesses until outgrowing them, followed by booster seats until adult seat belts fit properly (usually when they’re 4’9″ tall). The Pennsylvania State Police team will provide literature with these guidelines to take home, along with information about local resources for ongoing support.
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