Madison County’s car seat check event is being held at Big Lots, 102 Utica Street in Hamilton, on Tuesday, September 17 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. All parents and caregivers are invited to attend this free event hosted by the Madison County Health Department, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, and New York State Police.
“As a parent or caregiver, we know you have a long list of things you do to care for your children, and one of the top priorities is keeping them safe,” said Chrystal Johnson, a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician and Public Health Educator with Madison County Health Department. “And that should always include using the right car seat, booster seat, or seat belt for your child. Every 32 seconds in 2017, one child under 13 was involved in a passenger vehicle crash. No parent ever wants to get it wrong when it comes to a child’s safety. That’s why we’re hosting this car seat check event on September 17. Know that your kids are secure in their car seats, and are in the right seats for their ages and sizes.”
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends keeping children rear-facing as long as possible, up to the top height and weight allowed by the particular seats. It’s the best way to keep them safe. As of November 1, 2019, New York State law requires all children to ride rear-facing until they are 2 years old.
Once a child outgrows the rear-facing car seat, he or she is ready to travel in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether. After outgrowing the forward-facing car seat, a child should be placed in a booster seat until tall enough to fit in a seat belt properly. The safest place for all kids under 13 is in the back seat.
For more information on child car seat safety, as well as how to find other car seat check events, go to www.nhtsa.gov/carseat.