NORRISTOWN, PA—The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services Office of Public Health (OPH) is participating in Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Week from Sept. 17-23, 2023. 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 “Car Seat Safety Comes in Many Shapes and Sizes” to highlight the importance of selecting a size-appropriate car seat and using it correctly every time.
During National CPS Week, Montgomery County OPH’s certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPST) will host a free, in-person car seat check on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Limerick Fire Department – Limerick Station, located at 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.
“To ensure every child is in the right car seat that is installed and used correctly based on age, weight, and height, parents and caregivers are encouraged to schedule a car seat check appointment with our certified CPSTs,” said Elizabeth Raum, community traffic safety program manager at Montgomery County OPH. “This free and valuable service can increase the safety of younger passengers during general travel, as well as in the event of a crash. Parents and caregivers of children of all ages are encouraged to attend, from infant seats to booster seats.”
Montgomery County’s CPSTs offer free car seat checks throughout the year, both in-person and virtually, to families to ensure proper installation of their child safety seats. Caregivers can learn more and register for an upcoming appointment.
- Montgomery Hose Fire Company, Norristown – 1st Wednesday of the month
- Limerick Fire Department, Limerick – 3rd Tuesday of the month
- Montgomery Township Department of Fire Services, Battalion 1, Montgomeryville – 4th Thursday of the month
Parents and caregivers need to make certain they and their children are properly buckled on every trip, no matter the distance. Children who are correctly buckled in a car seat, booster seat, or seat belt benefit from the single most effective way to protect passengers. 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.
Individuals who are unable to afford a car seat can call 1-800-CAR-BELT or visit www.pakidstravelsafe.org to find the nearest car seat loan program.
More information about the Montgomery County Car Seat Check Program, including how to schedule a free car seat check, can be found here or by emailing carseat@montgomerycountypa.gov. You can also visit the Pennsylvania Traffic Injury Prevention Project’s website for more information and to find a car seat check near you.
Contact Community Traffic Safety Program Manager Elizabeth Raum for more information about hosting community traffic safety programming at your school, business, organization, or community event. Topics include bikes, pedestrians, school buses, seat belts, mature drivers, and child passenger safety.
Media Contact: Megan Alt, megan.alt@montgomerycountypa.gov
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