The Whitehall Police Department is partnering with state and county officials to educate local residents on the proper way to use a car seat.

A free car seat check will be held from 3 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 9, at the Whitehall Police Department.

According to the Washington County Public Heath Department, people hold a number of misconceptions when it comes to the proper way to use a car seat. They found that four  out of five car seats are being used wrong.

All children should stay rear facing in their car seat until at least two years old or until they reach the rear facing weight limit for their convertible car seat. Most people don’t realize that placing an infant car seat on top of a grocery cart is dangerous and not allowed by most car seat manufacturers, or that most children ages four to eight are required to ride in a booster seat and may need to ride in a booster even longer if they are not big enough to sit with the seatbelt properly fit.

During the seat check, certified car seat technicians will be on hand to check car seats for proper fit, use, possible recall and to help parents and caregivers on how to use the seat right.  If a car seat is found to be unsafe, a limited number of car seats may be available for a donation.

According to the CDC, motor vehicle injuries are the leading cause of death among children in the United States. But many of these deaths can be prevented. Placing children in age and size-appropriate car seats and booster seats reduces serious and fatal injuries by more than half.

The car seat check is sponsored by Washington County Public Health, Whitehall Police Department and funded by New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. 

For more information, contact Elizabeth St. John, Washington County Public Health, at 746-2400 x3478.