Parents enjoyed a little more peace of mind courtesy of the Child Safety Seat Check at the Union County Primary School on Sept. 22. As a group effort, a variety of organizations came out that afternoon to help keep Union County’s littlest passengers safe.
“We do this as a team, and it’s been working really well. If we only impact one kid’s life, it’s worth doing it,” said Sheriff Shawn Dyer, explaining that the Union County Sheriff’s Office collaborates with the Union County Fire Department to hold the event, but the Union County Health Department, Georgia State Patrol, Dawson County Sheriff’s Office and Woodstock Police Department were also involved due to their available technicians.
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“The car seat technician class is anywhere from a three-to-four-day class … We go over vehicles, we go over seat belts, latch systems, everything about the different styles of car seats,” shared car seat technician instructor Patrick Schmidt of Union County Fire. “We also teach about projectiles in the vehicle. So, take a water bottle that weighs one pound. At 60 miles an hour, that’s a 60-pound bomb flying around in your vehicle.”
To be able to properly check the safety of a car seat, one must be a certified car seat technician, trained to install seats and recognize risks. Those present at the check looked for how well a child fit in their seat – such as taking measurements of their height and weight – and how the seat was fastened into the car, which changes based on the age of its occupant.
Serial numbers are another invaluable piece of information. Car seats can expire or face recalls, and a quick scan can tell a technician how old a seat is or whether the brand name and model are dangerous. A list of recalls was compiled and offered to parents that day as part of some helpful paperwork.
If for whatever reason a seat was deemed unsafe, a number of free replacements were available, paid for thanks to grants or community donations.
Resident Kyla Migs took advantage of the service that day, wanting to keep her 5-year-old and 18-month-old safe. It was her first time coming to a car seat check, and she was impressed with what she found.
“This is fantastic; this is amazing. (It’s) very much needed,” Migs stated, calling the opportunity “a blessing,” as she learned to recognize various seat risks. After such a positive experience, she highly recommends other parents have their own car seats checked.
Shelby Moncrief did not need to have her seats replaced but was glad that she showed up.
“It’s good to know that they were put in right and safe,” said Moncrief, adding that she appreciated the opportunity to learn more about proper car seat safety and positioning.
Car seat checks are offered a couple of times a year and announced ahead of time by the Sheriff’s Office and Fire Department, although Union County Schools also hand out notices of upcoming events.
In the meantime, feel free to contact either department to schedule a time to stop by for a free check. The Union County Sheriff’s Office can be reached at 706-439-6066, and the Union County Fire Department can be contacted at 706-439-6095.
