Partners in Valdosta to Host Car Seat Safety Check Event

June 9, 2023 Print This Post

The Valdosta Fire Department will host a Car Seat Safety Check event on Monday, June 12, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Mathis Auditorium. VFD is partnering with the South Georgia Trauma Team (made up of VFD and South Georgia Medical Department of Trauma), Lowndes County Safe Kids, Valdosta Police Department, and Lowndes/Valdosta Commission for Children & Youth, Inc. (LCCY Family Connection), and Department of Public Health to educate the public on proper car seat installation. Residents can drive through the check stations and receive one-on-one demonstrations from certified car seat technicians.

“Events like these are important because improper installation of car seats can result in significant injury or death in the event of a car accident,” said Fire Safety Educator Sherina Ferrell. “We can walk the parent or guardian through installing the car seat and answer any questions.”

As part of their community risk reduction efforts, VFD participates in the Child Seat Safety Program, where firefighters are certified to train parents to install car seats in vehicles properly.

Correct car seat installation is a common area of uncertainty for many new parents. On average, three out of four car seats are installed incorrectly. When installing a car or booster seat, referring to the manufacturer’s directions is essential. Your child’s height and weight determine the seat type and its positioning.

For an appointment or more information, call Public Safety and Life Educator Sherina Ferrell at 229-333-1835.

Read the story on valdostatoday.com.

Families, child care providers, and the public can all prevent pediatric vehicular heatstroke if we just look again before we get out of our vehicles. Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) calls for families and caregivers of children to increase awareness of the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles. “Look Again” is a message not only for child care programs and teachers, but for anyone caring for a child to always account for the children in their care as they drive them from place to place. For more information, visit decal.ga.gov or noheatstroke.org.