University Health provides free car seat inspections during Seat Check Saturday
Free car seat safety inspections will be performed by University Health and Safe Kids San Antonio Saturday, Sept. 23 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Palo Alto College Performing Arts Center at 1400 West Villaret Blvd. Certified technicians will be onsite to inspect the car seats and booster seats inside vehicles.
"When child safety seats are used correctly in a vehicle, the risk of death can be reduced by as much as 71%,” said Jennifer Northway, director of injury prevention at University Health.
Unfortunately, more than half of car seats are not used or installed correctly. Inspections by certified technicians can help ensure children are safe on the road.
Did you know there are three types of car seats? Rear-facing seats should be a baby’s first car seat. Children can transition to a forward-facing car seat after the age of two and when the child’s weight exceeds 40 pounds. After children outgrow a forward-facing car seat, they should use a booster seat until they are over 4’9 and exceed 40 pounds. When children are seated in a booster seat in the back seat of a vehicle, they are 45% less likely to become injured during a crash compared to a child using a seat belt alone.
Northway also warns parents about a rise in counterfeit car seats, which are car seats made of cheaper materials that are unable to withstand the force of a car crash. These seats are not federally compliant and they do not meet vehicle safety standards. Parents should be cautious when purchasing car seats online or from unfamiliar retailers. Car seats in the U.S. will have product labels attached to the seat in English and Spanish. New car seats should come with a manual and registration card. If not, then the car seat could be counterfeit.
We look forward to partnering with TxDOT, Toyota Texas and Palo Alto College to celebrate National Seat Check Saturday during Child Passenger Safety Week by helping families make sure their little ones are riding safely in their vehicles. Reserve a spot by calling 210-358-4295. Registration is recommended but not required.
To learn more about car seat safety, visit universityhealth.com/safekids.
WHO:
Jennifer Northway, injury prevention director, University Health
Fara Smith, Safe Kids San Antonio program manager, University Health
WHEN:
Saturday, Sept. 23
9 – 11 a.m.
WHERE:
Palo Alto College Performing Arts Center, 1400 West Villaret Blvd.
