BISMARCK, ND - Parents and other caregivers care about keeping children safe while they play. North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) and their partners sponsor free local car seat checkups to help caregivers keep their children safe on the way when riding in vehicles.
An estimated five out of six child car seats are used incorrectly. This puts children at risk of injury or death if they are involved in a motor vehicle crash.
“Infants and children need to use different types of car seats as they grow, and how they are used changes too. For example, babies should ride rear facing as long as possible until they reach the maximum height or weight limits for their car seat based on the manufacturer’s instructions. There is a lot for caregivers to know, and attending a car seat checkup can help them stay up to date,” said Dawn Mayer, HHS child passenger safety program director.
“At car seat checkups, a certified child passenger safety technician helps caregivers ensure car seats are installed correctly and are appropriate for their child’s age, weight and height. They also show how to safely secure children and can check to make sure a car seat hasn’t been recalled,” she said.
Caregivers can find checkup event dates and locations by visiting the Car Seat Checkup Events page on hhs.nd.gov.
Can’t make it to a checkup event? You can find certified technicians who can check car seats by appointment at Safekids.org or by contacting HHS at (800) 472-2286.