Special to the WJH
September is Child Passenger Safety Awareness Month, which is the perfect time to make sure your child’s car seat is keeping them as safe as possible.
Did you know you can have your car seat or booster seat installation checked for free in Ware County?
A free car seat check will be held from 9 to 11 a.m., Saturday, September 6 at the Waycross YMCA parking lot, 1634 Plant Avenue.
Ware County Family & Consumer Sciences Agent Tabitha Kirkendall is a certified car seat technician who can teach you how to properly install your car seat.
She and other certified technicians will inspect your child’s seat or booster, demonstrate how to install it correctly and check the seat and vehicle for recalls, Kirkendall said.
The family-friendly event also will feature special guests Chase and Skye from Paw Patrol, who will meet kids and promote car safety. Ware County 4-H also will be on hand with information about programs for older youth.
A properly installed seat can reduce the risk of death by up to 71 percent, yet more than half of car seats are used incorrectly. All seats and boosters should be checked periodically.
Georgia law requires all children under 8 years old and shorter than 57 inches (4foot-9) to ride in an age- and size-appropriate car seat or booster seat. Remember, the best car seat is the one that fits your child, fits your vehicle, and is installed correctly every ride.
All seats sold in U.S. stores must meet strict federal safety standards but be careful when shopping online. Some websites sell counterfeit or foreign seats that may not meet U.S. requirements.
For questions before the event, call the Ware County UGA Extension office at (912) 288-3972.
The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity Institution. If you need reasonable accommodation or language access services, contact the Ware County Extension Office at (912) 287-2456 or email [email protected] at least three weeks prior to the program date.
